Grant awarded to student led foundation empowering Afghan women’s education

The Pink Education Foundation, founded by University of Melbourne student Adiba Erfan, has been awarded an Edified Energiser Grant of $5000 to support education for Afghan women and girls.

Adiba, a Bachelor of Science student and recent Premier’s Award for International Student of the Year recipient, was instrumental in establishing the foundation which aims to serve as a gateway for Afghan women to reclaim basic human rights that have been taken away from them.

The Foundation’s programs focus on providing education to Afghan girls and women, especially in rural communities. They offer learning in local languages on subjects like maths, English and biology, and deliver essential women’s health education, which is severely neglected in Afghanistan.

The Foundation also conducts in-depth community-based research to document the reality of Afghan women’s lives, which guides programs that address urgent needs and informs advocacy for lasting change.

At its core the foundation believes that every Afghan girl deserves hope, opportunity, and a chance to build a better future, no matter the challenges they face.

Edified’s Energiser Grants provide financial support of up to $5000 to worthy projects initiated by students and alumni around the world.

"Edified Energiser Grant is the first form of financial support that Pink Education has received, validating our core beliefs and work in a country where half of the population is living under oppression. It gives hope to women in Afghanistan, as they also have the right to live a fulfilling life." said Adiba.

The grants help to strengthen the growth and impact of projects that are committed to improving education and foster social change through education.