Lina Tori Jan, Speaker for Tuesday February 4 and Wednesday February 5, had to cancel.


Our speaker will be:
Gaisu Yari


Women of Afghanistan: Three Years of Oppression, Resistance, and Movement

Gaisu Yari explores the dramatic shifts in women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return in 2021. Through storytelling, she highlights the severe restrictions on women, their profound impact on public and private life, and the resilience and coping mechanisms women have developed in response. Gaisu will also share insights into the global fight for equality and justice, led by the women of Afghanistan.

Biography

Gaisu Yari is a fellow at the Wilson Center and an experienced Afghan gender expert from Afghanistan. She has navigated life both inside Afghanistan and as a refugee, enriching her perspective and expertise. As a former Civil Service Commissioner in Afghanistan, currently, Gaisu is leading the Afghan Voices of Hope Project, which involves extensive global travel, story collection to engage with Afghan exiles and inside Afghanistan.

Her focus on gender justice is evident through her advocacy work and public speaking engagements on the topic. She brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to her activism, having spoken at conferences, collaborated with various organizations, and worked with the media to address critical women's rights issues in Afghanistan.

Gaisu's educational achievements include a master's degree in human rights from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern studies and gender studies from the University of Virginia.