Aryana Sayeed

Artist and Women Rights Activist

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

گفتگوی مستقیم با زنان در هرات درباره وضعیت آنان

Speaking directly with women in Herat about their situation

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

نگذارید این همه ظلم عادی‌سازی شود؛ نسل‌های بعدی بهای سکوت امروز ما را خواهند پرداخت و تاریخ ما را مسئول خواهد دانست.

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

امروز، نهاد «دفاع» گامی تاریخی در راستای آموزش دختران افغانستان برمی‌دارد.

برنامۀ آموزشی تازهٔ نهاد دفاع به پنج‌هزار دختر کمک می‌کند تا دوباره به مکتب برگردند.
برای معلومات بیشتر https://t.co/hmQQTwMbJD

Today, @DEFAWorg takes a historic step for girls’ education in Afghanistan

DEFAW’s new education program will help 5,000 girls return to school

Learn more: https://t.co/hmQQTwMbJD

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

Women of Afghanistan were once an inspiration to the world.
They will rise and inspire again.

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

106 years ago, the women of #Afghanistan had many rights — including the right to vote — before even the United States. They shaped their nation with strength and vision. Today those rights are stolen. But history cannot be erased. We will reclaim it. We will rise again.

۱۰۶ سال پیش، زنان افغانستان از حقوق بسیاری برخوردار بودند — از جمله حق رأی — پیش از آن‌که حتی زنان در ایالات متحده به این حق دست یابند.
آن‌ها با قدرت و بینش، در ساختن آیندهٔ کشور سهم داشتند.
امروز این حقوق از آنان گرفته شده است، اما تاریخ را نمی‌توان پاک کرد.
ما دوباره آن را به دست خواهیم آورد. ما دوباره برخواهیم خاست.

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

On behalf of the women and girls of Afghanistan, I thank @Malala and the @MalalaFund for standing with us and amplifying our voices in the fight for education, freedom, and justice.

History will not forget those who stood with Afghan women in this critical moment.

[Malala Fund @MalalaFund]

Across Afghanistan and around the world, Afghans are leading a liberation movement for girls & women.
@AryanaSayeed is a world-renowned singer and activist. She founded Defenders of Equality, Freedom and Advancement for Women (DEFAW) to fight for education, freedom and justice in Afghanistan.

At @DEFAWorg, Aryana and her team:

🔊 Advocate for the legal recognition of gender apartheid, mobilise support for Afghan women’s rights and hold the Taliban accountable for rights violations.

📺 And through media, they document Afghan girls and women’s stories and amplify their voices to raise global awareness of gender apartheid.

Read more about how our partners are transforming their grief into action: https://t.co/lRPmhQ9bsD.

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

Four years without any rights, Still Standing and Still Fighting — This is the Women of Afghanistan!

[Hasht e Subh Daily @HashteSubhDaily]

۸صبح، کابل: آریانا سعید در واکنش به درخواست طالبان برای تحویل سفارت افغانستان در واشنگتن، از ایالات متحده خواست به جای طالبان، سفارت را در اختیار زنان افغان قرار دهد.

آریانا سعید روز چهارشنبه، ۲۲ اسد، با نشر پیامی از رییس ‌جمهور امر��کا خواست تا سفارت افغانستان در واشنگتن را
تا زمان روی کار آمدن یک دولت به رسمیت شناخته شده، به زنان افغان بسپارد تا به عنوان یک دفتر سیاسی تحت رهبری زنان، فعالیت کند.

او تأکید کرد که این دفتر باید کانال رسمی ایالات متحده در امور افغانستان باشد و تمام طرف‌های دخیل، از جمله طالبان، مجبور باشند در هر گفت‌وگو، مذاکره و تصمیم‌گیری مستقیما با زنان افغان روبه‌رو شوند.

آریانا سعید هدف از این اقدام را حمایت از میلیون‌ها زن و دختر افغانستان دانست که به سکوت و سرکوب وادار شده‌اند.

او افزود که تحویل سفارت به طالبان، به معنای مشروعیت‌بخشی به جنایات این گروه علیه زنان خواهد بود و تأکید کرد که زنان افغان حق دارند در شکل‌گیری آینده کشور خود نقش داشته باشند.

این در حالی است‌که طالبان از ایالات متحده خواسته‌اند کنترل سفارت افغانستان در واشنگتن را به این گروه واگذار کند.

#روزنامه_۸صبح

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

The Taliban have recently demanded that the United States hand over the Embassy of Afghanistan in D.C. — an act that would amount to legitimizing their crimes against the women of Afghanistan.

On behalf of millions of Afghan women and girls, I urge President Trump @POTUS to instead hand this embassy to the women of Afghanistan, to be led as a women-run political office until an internationally recognized government is in place. This office should serve as the United States’ official channel on Afghanistan’s matters, making it inevitable that any actor — including the Taliban — who plays a role in the country’s current situation must directly face the women of Afghanistan in every dialogue, negotiation, and decision-making process.

By giving Afghan women this platform, the United States would send a clear message that it stands with over 20 million women and girls in Afghanistan who have been forced into silence and suppression — and with women everywhere — in their struggle for dignity, justice, and a rightful place in shaping their nation’s future.

@realDonaldTrump @marcorubio @StateDept @USAmbKabul

[Malala Fund @MalalaFund]

On a panel hosted by @DEFAWorg , @SHalaimzai and @malala spoke to @AryanaSayeed about the urgency of naming and codifying gender apartheid as a crime against humanity in the fight for Afghan girls’ and women’s rights. Afghan women leaders in the audience brought the realities of this struggle into the room, as panellists challenged global leaders to advance codification and ensure Afghan women take part in shaping their futures.

Watch the full panel here: https://t.co/fYdMNWRcmd ▶️

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

An important conversation on the ongoing crisis of women and girls of Afghanistan — calling for global action.

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

Watch DEFAW’s important Panel Discussion with @Malala and @SHalaimzai, moderated by @AryanaSayeed

https://t.co/CtrYWSVAY0

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

DEFAW Panel Discussion with @Malala Yousafzai and @SHalaimzai moderated by @AryanaSayeed – Tune in this Saturday at 6:30 PM Kabul time on Afghanistan International TV @AFIntlBrk

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

DEFAW held its 4th virtual discussion with migrant women and girls of Afghanistan currently living in Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Iraq, and Bangladesh.
@AryanaSayeed emphasized global solidarity and real support—vowing to stand with them and advocate for their rights.

[افغانستان اینترنشنال @AFIntlBrk]

آریانا سعید، خواننده افغان می‌گوید صدها هزار بازگشت‌کننده بی‌پناه در بی‌سرنوشتی به سر می‌برند و میلیون‌ها دختر در افغانستان از آموزش محروم‌ شده‌اند. او گفت که طالبان به جای رسیدگی به وضعیت مردم، در خیابان‌های کابل به دنبال بازداشت، آزار و اذیت ��نان هستند.
او می‌گوید مردان افغانستان که همواره از «غیرت» سخن می‌گویند در برابر این وضعیت بی‌تفاوت‌اند.
این آوازخوان سرشناس افغانستان از مردم به ویژه مردان خواست بیش از هر زمان دیگری برای حمایت از زنان و دختران متحد شوند.

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

On June 25, 2025, over 50 advocates gathered in London for a high-level conference organized by DEFAW, calling for global action against gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
A united stand for justice, equality, and the rights of women and girls.
#EndGenderApartheid #WomenForJustice

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

On Behalf of @DEFAWorg

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to @AryanaSayeed, the founder of DEFAW, on being honored with the "Voice of Change" award at the Woman Global Awards. Aryana’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the rights of Afghan women and girls continues to inspire our mission. This recognition not only celebrates her powerful voice but also shines a light on the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and freedom in Afghanistan. We stand proudly beside her in this journey and remain committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls who refuse to be silenced.

— DEFAW Team

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

Hearing directly from the girls in Afghanistan was both heartbreaking and inspiring. Despite everything they’ve endured, they refuse to give up. The world must act now to restore their right to education.

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

Education is Our Right, and Victory is Ours!

On the occasion of Education Day in Afghanistan, @DEFAWorg held its third virtual discussion with @AryanaSayeed and girls deprived of education in Afghanistan.

During the session, girls from across Afghanistan raised their voices and called on the world to take action to restore the right to education for girls in Afghanistan.

#LetAfghanGirlsLearn @UNICEF @UNICEFEducation @EduCannotWait @amnestysasia
@GPforEducation
@UNESCO
@UN_Women
@unwomenafghan
@GEMReport

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

At @UNESCO, @AryanaSayeed reads a heartbreaking letter from a young girl in Badakhshan, Afghanistan — a plea for the right to learn, to dream, and to simply live. @DEFAWorg demands that Gender Apartheid be recognized as a crime under international law. #EndGenderApartheid

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

March 8: Honoring the Resilience of Women in Afghanistan

The fight of Afghan women for justice and equality will be remembered in history. Today, we honor their resilience and continue the fight for their rights and freedom!

[Aryana Sayeed @AryanaSayeed]

The ICC's arrest warrants for Taliban leaders are a key step against gender-based oppression in Afghanistan. Afghan women have fought tirelessly—this action must lead to broader accountability. Justice should not stop at a few individuals; every violator of women’s rights must be held accountable. Let this serve as a lasting reminder: oppression will never be forgiven, and accountability is inevitable! I hope this marks the beginning of real justice and the restoration of Afghan women’s rights.

[DEFAW @DEFAWorg]

100+ women and girls from inside Afghanistan, directly with DEFAW, voiced:

"Girls commit suicide and are swiftly buried, but there is no media outlet to speak out."

"We demand the international community create online universities and schools for Afghan girls."

"Everyone understands our pain; they know everything, yet they choose to remain silent."

#DEFAW #AfghanWomen #EndGenderApartheid