Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT)

APT is a youth-led nonprofit 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.

Our Primary Focus Areas:

Educational Opportunities for Girls and Young Women: 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).

International Advocacy to Advance Human Rights: APT focuses on mentoring young women, empowering them to raise their voices and express their concerns through writing about the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

Trauma Healing and Coping: APT is preparing to train a team of 10 young women in the “Internal Family System (IFS)” trauma healing technique. These trained individuals will be equipped 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.

Writing and Public Speaking Skills: For over a decade, APT has provided training in leadership development, collegiate 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.