Who We Are & What We Do

Girls on the Path of Change (GPC) was founded in April 2023 by Robina Azizi, who was inspired by her own experience of being denied access to education.

Our History

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.

Even in exile, Robina refused to give up. In Kabul, she resumed her education through online courses and began helping other girls access learning opportunities. Despite limited resources and constant danger, she used her voice to raise awareness in the media and within her community. Her 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, grow, and become changemakers in their communities. Our work and the powerful stories of our students have been featured by international media outlets and organizations, amplifying the voices of Afghan girls and shedding light on their struggles—and their resilience. In recognition of her tireless advocacy and leadership, GPC founder Robina Azizi was honored with the prestigious Diana Award in 2024. Her work continues to inspire and uplift a new generation of leaders. Soon, more girls will graduate from GPC’s online language school and academic academy, a powerful testament to what can be achieved even in the most difficult circumstances—when courage meets community and education becomes the path to change.

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Meet our team

Alix

Alix Slayton

Program Coordinator

Robina

Robina Azizi

Founder

Mehrullah

Mehrullah Mehrdad

Co-founder

Ana

Ana Burmeister

GPC Academy manager

Luiza

Luiza Caleia

Ambassador

OUR COMMITTEES

TOEFL

OUR DIGITAL LANGUAGE SCHOOL

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GPC Academy, the digital learning branch of Girls on the Path to Change, offers free online English language classes to girls living under Taliban rule in Afghanistan as well as Afghan refugee girls in Pakistan and Iran. Since its founding in 2023, GPC Academy has already educated over 1,000 girls, providing them not just with language skills, but with tools for self-expression, global communication, and personal empowerment.
Our English classes range from Beginner to Advanced levels, and include a TOEFL preparation course, giving students the opportunity to steadily grow their confidence and capability in English. All classes are led by a team of dedicated international volunteers—including professional teachers, certified educators, university professors, and experienced program organizers—who donate their time and talents to support girls' education.
In addition to English language instruction, GPC Academy also offers specialized programs, such as:
- English writing and public speaking classes, helping students build their voices and share their stories.
- Photography classes, empowering girls to express themselves through visual storytelling.
- Persian writing workshops, preserving and celebrating cultural heritage while enhancing literacy.
Our academy is more than just a place to learn a language; it is a community of hope, growth, and resilience. It creates a safe, supportive, and inclusive space where girls who have been silenced can be heard, where refugees find belonging, and where dreams of education become reality.
At GPC Academy, we believe that language is power: the power to connect, to create change, and to claim one’s future. Our goal is not only to teach English, but to nurture future leaders, changemakers, and storytellers, wherever they may be.
We are proud to witness firsthand the transformation education can bring, even in the darkest of times. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to reaching more girls in need-one class, one connection, and one voice at a time.

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Photography

PHOTOGRAPHY

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The Photography Committee was founded on the date 2023/7/3 (3rd of July) and is led by Belal Mostamand, who also teaches a corresponding photography class. This committee, made up of more than 65 members and students, tirelessly works on a variety of different photos, along with making videos. From the roads and streets of many different provinces in Afghanistan, the beauty, along with the struggles, of the country is captured in photos. The goal of this committee is to portray the current situation of Afghanistan, both the good and the bad, along with the situation of Afghan immigrants living in Pakistan and Iran. This committee also encourages girls to work on their photography skills, allowing them an outlet to showcase their attitudes and feelings.

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Art

ART

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This committee mainly focuses on drawing and painting. The purpose of this committee is to motivate girls to paint, and give them space to confidently work on their painting skills, put their mind to paper and more importantly, have an opportunity to demonstrate their feelings and innermost struggles through a healthy form of expression. Through their art, girls in this committee can show the toils of Afghan girls in a way that people all over the world can understand.
This committee, made up of more than 65 students, tirelessly works on a variety of different photos, along with making videos. From the roads and streets of many different provinces in Afghanistan, the beauty, along with the struggles, of the country is captured in photos. The goal of this committee is to portray the current situation of Afghanistan, both the good and the bad, along with the situation of Afghan immigrants living in Pakistan and Iran. This committee also encourages girls to work on their photography skills, allowing them an outlet to showcase their attitudes and feelings.

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Poetry

EO&EOD

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Educational Opportunities and Event & Outreach Departments
The Educational Opportunities Department was proposed by Fatima Moqadam, with the support of Girls on the Path of Change, in response to the urgent need for accessible learning opportunities for Afghan girls, especially after the fall of Kabul. This department has since grown into one of the most active and impactful sectors of the organization. Recognizing the synergies between the Educational Opportunities and Event & Outreach departments, we merged the two to amplify our efforts and reach even more students. Fatima, as the leader of the Educational Opportunities Department, now co-leads the combined department with Ananya Mishra, the former head of the Event & Outreach Department. Together, we guide a dynamic international team with members from India, Kenya, the Philippines, Afghanistan, the U.S., and beyond in this department.

Why This Department Exists? Our mission is to empower young Afghan students - particularly girls - by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive academically, professionally, and personally, despite the challenges they face. We believe that education, skill-building, and global exposure are critical to unlocking new futures for Afghan youth.

What We Do: We focus our efforts through three main initiatives:
1. Educational Webinars: We provide students with direct, practical guidance on accessing academic opportunities globally. Our webinars have already covered prestigious scholarships such as UWC (United World Colleges), Asian University for Women, and Turkey Scholarships, offering clear roadmaps on application processes and success strategies. We continue to expand our offerings to reach even more students.
2. Professional Development Sessions: We build professional readiness by teaching essential real-world skills such as CV writing, resume building, email writing, LinkedIn optimization, and more. These sessions help students prepare for both academic advancement and future careers locally and internationally. Many of these webinars have already been personally led by Fatima Moqadam and more are planned in the coming months.
3. Special Events: We host major events to celebrate global educational and cultural milestones such as World Book Day, International Women's Day, and International Education Day. These events create spaces for dialogue, learning, cultural exchange, and connection across borders.

Our Achievements: Since October 2023, the department has successfully organized more than 10 webinars and events. In many of these initiatives, Fatima Moqadam herself served as the lead presenter, sharing her personal experiences in applying for scholarships, preparing college applications, building strong CVs and cover letters; she isn't just helping, she is shaping the vision. We have also invited distinguished guest speakers to bring broader expertise and perspectives to our students. One recent highlight was our celebration of World Book Day 2025, where participants from Afghanistan, India, Kenya, and other countries shared stories about books that had deeply impacted their lives. This cross-cultural dialogue promoted not only a love of reading but also empathy, critical thinking, and connection across borders. We continue to host such events around major global days like International Women's Day and Education Day to inspire and unite young people. We are proud of the foundation we have built and remain committed to hosting even more impactful sessions and events in the future.
With strong leadership, a passionate team, and a clear mission, the Educational Opportunities and Event & Outreach Department remains committed to expanding learning opportunities and nurturing talents. We will continue to build programs that not only educate but also connect and empower - helping young Afghans rise beyond limitations and create brighter futures.

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Collaborations

ORCHARD STREET ACADEMY

DARAKHT-E-DANESH

aewa

AEWA