Ruqia wants to empower women through digital tools

Last year, Ruqia Qudos from Afghanistan was awarded the 1325 scholarship on women, peace and security in memory of Zaida Catalán. After half a year through her scholarship at the human rights organization and research think tank Bytes for All (B4A) in Pakistan, she has learned a lot about the intersection between technology, women’s rights, and peacebuilding, and the importance of collaboration.

– A major takeaway for me is the power of networking - connecting with different kind of professionals from diverse backgrounds has inspired new ideas for future projects focused on Afghanistan.

B4A has been a great learning experience for Ruqia. The organization has been very supportive through mentoring and involving her in various projects focused on research, advocacy initiatives, and discussions on policy recommendations for Afghanistan.

Strengthening women's digital security

Ruqia is really passionate about digital security and technological solutions to empower women. One of her key projects has been conducting research on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) in Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Building on this she is currently doing research about the threats Afghan women face online, and how this restricts their ability to express themselves. To prepare women with better tools, she also organized an online training session on digital well-being and safe online practices for a group of girls in Afghanistan. Digital well-being applications, encrypted communication platforms, and AI-driven misinformation detection tools are all crucial for protecting women in conflict zones.

– Technology is a game-changer for women's empowerment. It provides access to education, financial independence, and a platform to raise their voices.

Education is not just about learning - it is about empowerment, freedom, and the ability to shape one's future.

– The situation for Afghan women in education is heartbreaking. Afghan girls are being denied their fundamental right to education, cutting them off from opportunities and economic independence.

As the many young girls in Afghanistan are losing hope, she stresses the importance for the world to show that they are not forgotten.

To engage for change

Online platforms are indeed important tools for advocacy work. Ruqia is very active on social media herself, and she truly believes in awareness as the first step towards change.

– One of my most impactful posts was about the last day of school for Afghan girls finishing 6th grade. I highlighted their pain and the injustice of their education being cut short, urging the world to take action. The post received over 40,000 impressions and many reposts, showing that digital activism can amplify these voices.

After leaving B4A, Ruqia wants to use her gained learning experiences to develop other initiatives. One idea is to create an online resource hub providing digital security training, networking opportunities, and advocacy tools tailored to women in Afghanistan.

– The resilience of Afghan women really motivates me. Even in the face of oppression, they continue to fight for their rights. Their strength reminds me why I must keep pushing forward and work for a better future, through technology and advocacy.

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In addition to her stay at B4A, Ruqia is part of the Afghan Women Leaders’ Forum, where she contributes to discussions on political dialogue and inclusive governance. She is also participating in the UNITAR Training for Afghan Youth: Advancing Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship, funded by the Government of Japan. This program is equipping her with skills in entrepreneurship and agribusiness - key sectors for Afghanistan’s sustainable development.

Read more about the 1325 scholarship in memory of Zaida Catalán.