The Royal Institute of international affairs, commonly known as Chatham House, has named the women of Afghanistan as the recipient of its annual Chatham House Prize.
In a statement issued today (Thursday, August 20), the institute said Afghan women and girls have demonstrated remarkable courage and resilience in the face of restrictions, harassment, and systematic gender-based repression under the Taliban.
Bronwen Maddox, Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House, said: “Afghan women have shown extraordinary courage and resilience in the face of systematic efforts to exclude them from education, employment, and public life.”
Farzana Sheikh, a researcher on Asia-Pacific affairs at Chatham House, said: “The Chatham House Prize 2026 is thoroughly deserved by the women of Afghanistan and serves as a testament to their resistance and determination never to be erased from public memory. Their perseverance in the face of the restrictive and discriminatory laws imposed under Taliban rule is an unparalleled example for all those committed to women’s equal rights and the goal of a fairer world.”
Chittij Bajpai, a senior research fellow for South Asia at Chatham House, said that no group has suffered more than Afghan women and girls since the Taliban’s return to power.
He added: “By awarding the Chatham House Prize to the women of Afghanistan, we want to play our part in raising awareness of an issue that, unfortunately, has fallen off the international community’s radar.”
The award will be presented to the women of Afghanistan at a special ceremony at Chatham House later this year.
A scroll signed by King Charles III, Patron of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, will also be presented to them.
Chatham House is a leading London-based think tank whose mission is to address geopolitical challenges and international affairs.
The Chatham House Prize was established in 2005. Previous recipients include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
