Ms. Afghani Barakzai is currently working at a humanitarian charity in Washington, D.C. that provides community programs for refugees, the homeless and substance abuse populations. She holds a BA in Arts & Sciences from the University of Kabul. During her studies in Afghanistan, she became involved in women’s rights issues at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Kabul. There, she managed interviews, supported arbitration and counseling and pursued inquiries into domestic disputes and gender dynamics in Afghan families. After graduation, Ms. Barakzai shifted her focus to international development and worked at the Asia Consultancy Group, a large professional trade and export company, and later served as the Senior Administrator/Mobile Money Manager for the USAID-funded Central Asia Development Group. She continues to be involved in women’s rights issues and has published articles on the topic, including in The Washington Post. She is very passionate about human rights, gender equality, conflict resolution, education and humanitarian work, especially regarding empowerment and economic development for women.