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A leading advocate for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, in particular the right to education, Joya is the founder of Rukhshana Media, a news agency dedicated to telling the stories of Afghan women in their own voices. Her appointment recognises her transformational work and reflects Hughes Hall’s mission to advance inclusive education.

Joya said: “In a time when, as a woman, I have been deprived of my basic rights in my own country, joining the extraordinary Hughes Hall team at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge is a great honour for me. I view this opportunity as a chance to step into a wellspring of knowledge, and I hope to learn from this team and bring what I learn here back to my people.”

Sir Laurie Bristow, President of Hughes Hall, welcomed Joya to the College: “Zahra’s work on behalf of Afghanistan’s women and girls has never been more urgent nor her own story more pertinent. Zahra’s work is about enabling Afghan women and girls to speak for themselves. It is about the right of all girls to receive an education. It is about challenging gender-based oppression and protecting the rights of some of the most vulnerable people in our world today.”