The Meesha Shafi Foundation has announced that Zahra Joya, the founder of Rukhshana Media, has won the 2026 Exceptional Courage in Journalism Award.
In a statement, the foundation said the award was presented to Zahra Joya in recognition of her efforts in journalism and her work in providing a platform to amplify the voices of Afghan women and girls.
The Meesha Shafi Foundation said its annual media awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel in Dubai’s Al Habtoor area.
The foundation also praised the role of Rukhshana Media in highlighting the stories and experiences of women in Afghanistan and providing female journalists with opportunities to produce independent reports.
The Meesha Shafi Foundation annually recognizes journalists and activists who have made significant contributions to media, peace, and social developments at local, regional, and international levels.
The foundation has been organizing its annual media awards ceremony for more than a decade and a half. At least the first 12 editions of the ceremony were held in Lebanon, while Dubai has hosted the event for the fourth consecutive year.
The Meesha Shafi Foundation is a Lebanese organization established in 2011 by May Chidiac, a journalist and former Lebanese government minister.
The foundation works in the fields of journalism training and empowerment, media development, freedom of expression, women’s rights, and democracy.
