Axel Springer Awards Anonymous Heroine for Underground Girls' Schools in Afghanistan
The Axel Springer Freedom Foundation's Award for Courage winner this year, unnamed due to security reasons, has been fighting relentlessly, despite extreme odds, to ensure that Afghan girls and women have access to quality education since the Taliban took power.
She puts herself in danger by opposing the fundamentalist and sexist dictatorship with a discrete network of girls' schools. Hence, the Award for Courage had to be given anonymously and without the recipient on November 28, 2023.
In partnership with the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, this prize recognises outstanding people who have made significant contributions to freedom and democracy. The Berlin Axel Springer building's Journalists' Club hosted the awards presentation. Prominent figures from politics and industry, together with a slew of international experts on human rights and democracy, were among the attendees.
In Afghanistan, it is illegal for females to continue their education beyond the sixth grade.
“For me, the most painful injustice is that I cannot speak freely and publicly about the oppressive situation of women in Afghanistan,” wrote the award recipient in a speech that was read in her absence. “I cannot even celebrate this significant day with my closest family for fear of putting myself in danger. I wish I could accept the Award for Courage in person and return to my country fearless and with pride. This recognition will motivate me to work even harder. I will transform my pain about the injustices into strength.”
In her opening remarks, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Research, said: "Education is a human right, it is inalienable. It cannot be denied anyone. Education is the driver of societal development, of progress and of civilization. Equal opportunities in education are the lever for equal opportunities in a country.“
She added, "This is why our ministry stands up for human rights and for education all around the world. This impresses me so much. Her incredible courage. The hope that she gives. Her desire for freedom.“
This year makes it the second time that the Freedom Foundation has presented its Award for Courage. Recipients are heroes who have done extraordinary things for their native nations' democracies and freedoms, sometimes putting themselves in danger to do so.
The late Axel Springer, whose lifelong dedication to individual liberty informed his personal and entrepreneurial decisions, laid the groundwork for this honour, which carries on his legacy.
The Deutsche Postcode Lotterie has generously donated 50,000 euros to the Award for Courage. Vladimir Kara-Murza was the first to get it in 2022. An esteemed advisory board, comprising of Natan Sharansky (politician and human rights activist), Masih Alinejad (journalist and women’s rights activist), Samuel Chu (founder and president of the Campaign for Hong Kong), Roya Mahboob (co-founder of the Afghan Girls Robotic Team), Rosa Maria Paya (Cuban human rights activist), Faisal Saeed Al Mutar (founder of Ideas Beyond Borders), and Rushan Abbas (founder and executive director of the Campaign for Uyghurs), decides the Awardee.