Parastou Ashouri
Parastou Ashori is an Afghan journalist and activist dedicated to advocating for women’s rights. As a resilient survivor of war, she co-founded the Her Path to Knowledge organization alongside Huma Rahimi, an exceptional Afghan musician.
Born in a small village in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, Parastou grew up in an environment where literacy was scarce, and there were no schools for girls. To provide better educational opportunities for her and her siblings, her family relocated to a city, becoming the first educated family in their village.
Parastou began her education at just four years old. From an early age, she developed a passion for women’s rights, actively participating in programs aimed at empowering women through education. While in eighth grade, she organized a class to teach reading and writing to girls who were barred from attending school due to their families’ strict norms. This experience deepened her commitment to gender equality and heightened her awareness of the disparities faced by Afghan women, who have historically had fewer opportunities than men.
Throughout her life in Afghanistan, Parastou witnessed the ongoing struggle for gender equality. The injustices faced by Afghan women inspired her to become a journalist and activist, giving a voice to those who are often voiceless. Through her powerful writing and awareness-raising initiatives, she has consistently highlighted the challenges and resilience of Afghan women, ensuring their stories are heard both locally and globally.
By creating an underground course in Afghanistan, Parastou aims to make a difference and provide opportunities for women who have been denied their right to education by the current regime in Afghanistan.
Huma Rahimi
Huma Rahimi is an Afghan musician and advocate for women’s empowerment. She trained in eastern classical music at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM), specializing in sitar and vocal performance. She then pursued further studies at the Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, India, earning a bachelor’s degree in Hindustani music with a focus on sitar. As the lead sitar player of the Zohra Orchestra, Afghanistan’s first all-female orchestra, and a member of the Afghanistan National Symphony Orchestra, Huma performed on renowned stages such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the World Economic Forum in Davos and so many other stages of the world. Her music embodies resilience, freedom, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
However, the return of the Taliban to power in 2021 marked a pivotal moment in Huma’s life. With the closure of ANIM and the suppression of women’s rights under the new regime, Huma was forced to flee Afghanistan. She was evacuated with the ANIM community to Portugal, and then she came to USA where she continues her musical career and advocates for women’s empowerment.
Witnessing the harsh realities faced by Afghan women under oppressive regimes, Huma channeled her passion for empowerment into action. In partnership with Parastou Ashori, she co-founded Her Path to Knowledge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Afghan women who are denied access to education. The organization provides mentorship, resources, and opportunities, helping women overcome systemic barriers and build meaningful futures.
Through Her Path to Knowledge, Huma remains committed to empowering Afghan women, ensuring they have the support and opportunities needed to pursue their dreams and reclaim their rights to education and autonomy.