Transform Afghan Boys into Feminist Allies

Because of your support, 120 young men in Mazar-e-Sharif participated in the 2025 Men as Partners in Change Program—an initiative that combines mathematics education with guided dialogue on gender equity, nonviolence, and mental health. In a country where gender apartheid continues to restrict the rights, mobility, and futures of women and girls, your investment has helped create space for adolescent boys to critically examine harmful norms and imagine a different path forward. Across two completed rounds, we achieved a 93.75% completion rate, reflecting strong engagement and a deep desire among students to learn—not only academically, but socially.

Monitoring and evaluation results from the program show meaningful transformation. Acceptance of male-only leadership and unconditional obedience of wives declined dramatically, justification of domestic violence dropped sharply, and belief in community responsibility to prevent abuse rose significantly. Students also demonstrated increased rejection of mental health stigma and stronger peaceful conflict-resolution skills. At the same time, Round III baseline findings reveal that deeply rooted patriarchal attitudes remain prevalent among each new cohort—confirming that the positive changes observed are directly attributable to structured MPC participation rather than shifting social conditions alone.

In Afghanistan’s current context, these shifts are not abstract statistics. Each participant is a brother, a son, and one day potentially a husband or father. When a young man rejects violence, questions rigid gender roles, and values emotional well-being, the women in his life—his sisters, future wife, and future daughters—are safer, more respected, and more likely to experience dignity within their homes and communities. In environments where public systems increasingly fail women, change within families becomes even more critical.

We are deeply grateful for your partnership in making this work possible. Your support is helping cultivate a generation of young men who see equality not as a threat, but as a shared responsibility. As we look toward 2026, we remain hopeful about expanding this model to reach more students and deepen its impact, continuing to build foundations for safer households and more equitable communities across Afghanistan.

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