Yalda Latifi, a young activist working to promote children’s rights and girls’ education in Afghanistan, has received the prestigious 2026 Diana Award.
The Diana Award is one of the UK’s most prestigious honours for young people aged 16 to 25. It was established in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
She received the award for her project, “Voices of Afghan Women and Girls,” and her advocacy for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Yalda’s name was announced during a virtual award ceremony, alongside 198 young people from 44 countries around the world. Prince William and Prince Harry also sent congratulatory letters to the award recipients.
In her message, Yalda said: “No voice should be lost in silence, and no girl should have to give up her dreams because of her circumstances.”
Through public speaking, poetry, storytelling and media, Yalda raises the voices of Afghan women and girls internationally. She has also founded Yalda Media to highlight and share their stories.
She is a computer science student in Malaysia and a nominee for the 2026 International Children’s Peace Prize.
Yalda Latifi receives this award at a time when the Taliban authorities, since taking control of Afghanistan, have deprived women and girls of access to education and higher education. In their latest restrictions, they also closed the doors of medical institutes to women and girls, despite the fact that Afghanistan’s healthcare sector is facing a shortage of medical personnel.
These restrictions have left millions of school-age girls unable to pursue their education.
In addition, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants and public bathhouses. They are also prohibited from being examined by male doctors, travelling without a male guardian (mahram), working for domestic and international non-governmental organisations, and even working in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.
According to reports, if these restrictions continue, nearly four million girls could be deprived of education by 2030.
