Girls on the Path of Change began with one girl, one dream, and one unshakable belief: that education is power. The story begins with Robina Azizi, a 16-year-old girl and 10th grade student living in Balkh, Afghanistan, who dreamed of completing her education and advocating for girls’ rights. In 2021, as the Taliban regained control of the country, Robina’s life was upended. She was forced to leave school during her exams and flee her home to protect her life and that of her family. Her writings, activism, and commitment to human rights placed her at serious risk.
Robina's goal was clear: to ensure Afghan girls would not be forgotten. In April 2023, Robina founded and launched a movement called “Girls on the Path of Change.” What started as a small effort quickly grew into a powerful community of girls from across Afghanistan who were determined to keep learning, no matter the risks. GPC started its first inspiring program, named “The Story of Schoolgirls,” which united 20 girls from different provinces in a shared mission to advocate for education. GPC then grew to provide online language classes, creative writing workshops, mental health sessions, and seminars led by Afghan and international volunteers. Over 500 girls and boys joined the first round of classes. Girls participating in the movement organized exhibitions of their handmade crafts, poetry, books, and art. In June 2023, GPC hosted empowerment seminars attended by over 200 girls, offering safe spaces for self-expression, learning, and hope. In September, Robina represented over 1,000 girls by co-signing a global letter to world leaders, demanding action for the reopening of girls’ schools in Afghanistan. Today, Girls on the Path of Change continues to grow. Robina, now based in Germany, leads the movement with a global team of volunteers dedicated to restoring education, dignity, and opportunity to Afghan girls. Through advocacy, education, and collective resilience, GPC empowers the next generation of changemakers. GPC has inspired thousands of girls globally to learn.
GPC began with Robina, a girl who lost her chance to learn. She organized an online meeting for girls who faced similar challenges, creating a welcoming space where they could share their feelings, support one another, and access free online classes. News about her setting up a support group for emotional assistance and story-sharing spread quickly through the neighborhood, leading more girls to join. Robina's story gained attention worldwide, and as many people learned about her advocacy, GPC gained momentum and attracted supporters, volunteers, and participants from around the globe.
GPC offers online English classes, creative writing, public speaking, and photography courses with the help of volunteer teachers from various countries. The organization has also held workshops, art shows, and creative projects in several Afghan provinces. These events teach locals about the initiative and give girls an opportunity to express their stories through art, photography, and storytelling. These activities have significantly strengthened GPC's grassroots presence.
Global organizations and news outlets like Amnesty International, the UN Refugee Agency, the Malala Fund, UNICEF, and the Diana Award have highlighted Robina's journey, bringing her efforts to international attention. As more people discovered her advocacy work, GPC continued to grow rapidly by involving the community, generating innovative ideas, advocating for global change, and reaching out online.
Want to get involved with Girls on the Path of Change? We'd love for you to join us! Come follow our story and see what we're up to on social media, and explore our website to learn more about our mission.
If you feel a connection to our work and want to reach out, head over to our contact page. There, you can tell us what sparks your interest – maybe you're eager to volunteer, dream of partnering with us, or have a powerful story to share. You can either shoot us an email directly or send a message through the website. Our team is dedicated to getting back to you!
We're also so proud to have a vibrant group of international ambassadors from all corners of the globe. If becoming an ambassador resonates with you, please let us know in your message – we'd love to hear from you and invite you for a friendly chat.
https://girlsonthepathofchange.com
Finally, if you represent an organization that, like us, passionately believes in supporting girls' education in Afghanistan, please don't hesitate to connect! We're always open to exploring potential collaborations and building a brighter future together. You can reach out via our website or send us a direct email. We can't wait to hear from you!
