Call for Applications

Women for Change International (WFCI), a non-profit organization based in Europe, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of the first annual Nadia Anjuman Fellowship for Afghan Girls. Established in honor of the renowned Afghan poet Nadia Anjuman, this fellowship will seek to preserve, amplify, and celebrate the voices of Afghan girls through literature, poetry, and creative writing.

Nadia Anjuman (1980–2005) was one of Afghanistan’s most celebrated contemporary Persian poets. Born in Herat, she continued to study literature in secret during the first Taliban regime through an underground women’s literary circle disguised as a sewing school. Following the fall of the Taliban in 2001, she enrolled at Herat University to study Dari Literature and published her acclaimed poetry collection Gul-e-Dodi (Flower of Smoke) in 2005. Through her poetry, she gave voice to the hopes, struggles, and resilience of Afghan women and girls.

Although Nadia Anjuman’s life was tragically cut short at the age of twenty-five, her words continue to inspire generations. Her poetry reminds us that even when voices are silenced, literature endures.

Through this fellowship, Women for Change International hopes to honor her legacy by creating a platform where Afghan girls can write freely, share their experiences, and preserve Afghanistan’s literary heritage for future generations. 

Who Will Be Able to Apply?

• The fellowship will be open to Afghan girls and young women, regardless of where they currently live, who have a passion for writing and storytelling.
• Previous publication experience will not be required. We welcome both emerging and experienced writers.

What Will You Be Able to Submit?

Throughout the fellowship year, participants will be invited to submit original works in Dari, Pashto, English, or any Afghan language, including:

• Poetry
• Short stories
• Personal essays
• Reflections on everyday life in Afghanistan
• Memoirs and lived experiences
• Letters to the future
• Writing about education, identity, hope, resilience, family, culture, or dreams
• Any other form of creative writing that authentically expresses your thoughts and emotions

There will be no single theme. Whether a fellow wishes to write about daily life, the challenges of being an Afghan girl, hopes for the future, or simply express their feelings through poetry, every voice will be welcome.

Fellowship Activities

Throughout the fellowship year:

• Fellows will be able to submit creative writing at any time during the fellowship period.
• Selected poems, essays, and literary works will be published on the Women for Change International website and social media.
• Outstanding submissions may also be featured on our social media platforms and future publications (with the author’s permission).
• Fellows will become part of a growing literary community dedicated to preserving and amplifying Afghan women’s voices.
• At the conclusion of each fellowship year, selected works may be compiled into a digital anthology celebrating the creativity and resilience of Afghan girls and young women.

Fellowship Terms

As this will be the first year and pilot edition of the Nadia Anjuman Fellowship, participation will be voluntary, and the fellowship will not be funded. There will be no financial award or stipend associated with participation.

Instead, the fellowship is designed to build a supportive community of young Afghan writers while creating a sustainable platform that can continue to grow in future years.

Although the fellowship will be unpaid, Women for Change International aims to provide fellows with educational guidance and professional development opportunities through its growing international network. Depending on the availability of volunteer mentors and partner organizations, opportunities may include:

• Online résumé/CV writing workshops
• Guidance on writing personal statements for university and scholarship applications
• Assistance with scholarship and college application essays
• Advice on preparing or requesting recommendation letters
• Information about scholarships, fellowships, educational opportunities, and online courses
• Curated educational resources and writing materials
• Opportunities to connect with mentors, educators, authors, and professionals within our network, when available

WFCI is committed to supporting participants in achieving their educational, literary, and professional goals whenever possible.

As the fellowship grows in future years, we hope to expand the program to include additional mentorship opportunities, workshops, publications, and financial support.

Cost

Participation in the Nadia Anjuman Fellowship will be completely free, with no application fee.

Our Vision

For generations, Afghan women have expressed hope, resistance, love, grief, and courage through poetry. Today, many Afghan girls are denied opportunities to learn, create, and share their voices. The Nadia Anjuman Fellowship exists to ensure that those voices are neither forgotten nor silenced.

We believe every poem, every story, and every page written by an Afghan girl will become part of the historical memory of Afghanistan. Your words matter. Your experiences matter. Your dreams matter.

We warmly invite Afghan girls and young women around the world to stay tuned for the launch of the inaugural Nadia Anjuman Fellowship, and to help us build a lasting archive of Afghan women’s literature for generations to come.

How to Apply

Applications will open soon. To apply, you will be asked to submit:

• A current resume or CV.
• A short essay (500–750 words) introducing yourself and describing what you hope to write or explore during the fellowship year. Your essay may discuss the themes, stories, poems, or personal experiences you wish to share, as well as how participating in the Nadia Anjuman Fellowship will support your personal, literary, or academic growth.

Work alongside a diverse, passionate, and ambitious network of women from around the world. At Women for Change International, we are proud to be a women-led and women-centered organization. We are driven by the belief that when women lead, communities thrive.

We welcome women from all walks of life to bring their voice, talents, and leadership to our global movement.