Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT) is a youth-led nonprofit organization in Afghanistan that actively addresses human rights crises, with a specific focus on women’s rights, while simultaneously promoting girls’ access to education through creative and impactful initiatives.
Since its inception in 2010, APT activities have impacted and inspired over 60,000 youth and children to build a vision for a just and inclusive society.
Inception
Impacted and Inspired Youths
APT connects female university students inside Afghanistan with mentors abroad. This initiative aims to support young girls seeking pathways to gaining higher education. The support package normally includes coaching a) to find a university that meets the student’s needs; 2) to complete the application package; and 3) support in transition when the student receives admission. At the moment, APT is coaching 15 students. Additionally, APT provides schooling to younger girls and boys inside the country. Currently, we have 115 students (up to grade 5).
APT facilitates networking opportunities for youth inside and outside of Afghanistan to foster open dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas and experiences. APT also focuses on mentoring young women, empowering them to raise their voices and express their concerns through writing about the human rights situation in Afghanistan. By doing so, they engage with the international community and advocate for crucial reforms in the country.
APT is preparing to train a team of 10 young women in the “Internal Family System (IFS)” trauma healing technique. These individuals will then be equipped with knowledge to provide the training to others and/or create healing spaces for family members, friends, and colleagues to cope with the ongoing critical situation inside Afghanistan.
For over a decade, APT has been providing training in leadership development, debate, and creative writing to Afghan youth. The organization continues these programs with a special focus on writing initiatives for young women. Over the past two years, APT has created space for 24 women to write and publish the stories of their lives under Taliban rule. You can access these booklets here and here.
Empowering Afghan Youth Through Education, Advocacy, and Support
Enhances public speaking and critical thinking through structured debates and respectful discourse.
Empowers young women to advocate for human rights and influence policy changes.
Develops leadership skills by shifting focus from power to service and peace.
Connects Afghan women with mentors to support their higher education journey.
Provides trauma healing and coping strategies to support Afghan youth’s mental well-being.
In 2013-2015, APT together with UNOY Peacebuilders advocated for the UNSC Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security which was adopted in December 2015. In 2018, in light of this historical document, APT initiated the annual Afghan Youth Representative to the UN Program in Afghanistan in partnership with the Netherlands Embassy in Kabul. This program has indirectly reached millions of Afghan youth across the country and received coverage nationally and internationally.
Over its 13 years of operation, APT has facilitated meaningful engagement for young men and women, fostering discussions and dialogues with their peers both within and outside the country. These conversations revolve around crucial topics, aimed at proposing solutions for a better Afghanistan and a better world. Through this, they have played a pivotal role in influencing policies on both national and global scales, thanks to the development of their leadership and critical thinking skills.
Furthermore, APT has extended its impact by equipping illiterate mothers with essential tools to raise healthy children in Afghanistan, effectively countering the lure of extremism. Beyond this, APT has taken initiative by sending young men and women from Afghanistan abroad, significantly broadening their perspectives on life and the world.