In September 2025, Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) started the Creative Writing Program for Young Women in Afghanistan. More than 30 young women joined the program, which included 12 workshops. Six of the workshops focused on academic writing, and six focused on creative writing. The topics covered included essay writing, building arguments, using sources and citations, as well as fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and other forms of writing. Participants also completed assignments and exercises to practice what they learned.
Now that the workshops are finished, the program has moved into the next stage: group writing projects. The participants have been divided into five groups, and each group is working on a different writing format. The formats are short stories, poetry, journals, non-fiction, and letters. Each format comes with a simple guide to help participants explore themes that matter to them. The topics are not fixed, the young women are encouraged to choose themes that connect to their own lives and experiences in Afghanistan.
Through these formats, participants are writing about courage, hope, resilience, and the challenges they face. Short stories allow them to use imagination to show what life is like or what they wish it could be. Poetry gives them space to share feelings and emotions in powerful words. Journals let them write freely about daily life and personal thoughts. Non-fiction helps them tell real stories about their communities and raise awareness. Letters give them a way to speak directly to people, places, or even to themselves.
All the writings will be collected and published in a final booklet. This booklet will highlight the voices of Afghan women and show their creativity, strength, and vision for a more inclusive society. Each contributor will be acknowledged by name, unless she prefers to remain anonymous.
This program is part of APT’s mission as a youth-led nonprofit in Afghanistan. APT works to raise the voices of young people, especially girls and women, by promoting education, leadership, dialogue, and creative expression. Alongside its academic and advocacy programs, APT supports creative projects that allow Afghan women to share their experiences and resilience through writing. By supporting and mentoring these young women, APT shows its commitment to a society where their voices help shape change