A documentary about the work of Zarqa Yaftali, an Afghan women’s rights activist and advocate for girls’ education, has won a Silver Dolphin Award at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards in France.
Educating Hope in Afghanistan: The Story of Zarqa is among the winners of the 2026 awards, which recognize corporate films, documentaries, television productions and online media.
The film explores Yaftali’s work on the rights of women and children and her efforts to support girls’ education in Afghanistan. It also tells the story of her determination to continue this work amid restrictions.
The film was produced in collaboration with a production company and with support from the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.
Yaftali was also among the 2026 recipients of the Zayed Award, recognized for her work supporting the rights of women and children and girls’ education.
Born in Badakhshan, Yaftali has spent many years working on women’s and children’s rights and Afghan girls’ access to education.
She is currently based in Canada.
