French Freedom Prize awarded to advocate for girls' education in Afghanistan

Samim Sun Jun 2026 3 months ago 415

Mr. Wisa, who traveled to France to receive this award, stated in conversations with the media that this international recognition of the "Rah-e-Qalam" Association's educational activities provides him and his colleagues with greater motivation and energy to intensify their efforts toward developing education in Afghanistan. He is the first education activist from Afghanistan to receive the French Freedom Prize. In addition to its symbolic and international value, the award includes a cash prize of 25,000 euros.


The French Freedom Prize is awarded annually by the University of Normandy in France to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of human rights, education, environmental protection, and workers' rights. The selection process for the award's recipients is centered on youth participation, with individuals aged 15 to 25 from around the world able to nominate their preferred candidates and play a role in selecting the winners. According to the organizers, in 2026, a total of 951 people from various countries around the world were nominated for the award. After several stages of evaluation and in-person and online voting, three nominees advanced to the final stage, where Matiullah Wisa ultimately secured the title of overall winner.


For over a decade, Matiullah Wisa has been working through the "Rah-e-Qalam" Association and in collaboration with numerous volunteers to expand children's access to education in various regions of Afghanistan. His activities have included creating educational opportunities for both girls and boys, launching awareness campaigns on the importance of education, and advocating to lift educational restrictions against girls. Previously, in 2025, he had also received an international award from Qatar for his efforts in combating corruption and promoting education.


Matiullah Wisa was arrested by Taliban intelligence forces in March 2023 and released after 215 days in prison. His detention drew widespread reactions from human rights organizations, international bodies, and civil society activists inside and outside Afghanistan, with many institutions calling for his immediate release. Matiullah Wisa's receipt of the French Freedom Prize comes at a time when educational restrictions, especially for girls, remain one of Afghanistan's most significant challenges. Many observers view this achievement as a sign of the global community's attention to the efforts of Afghan advocates for education and human rights.

Matiullah Wisa, president of the "Rah-e-Qalam" Association and a renowned activist in the field of education in Afghanistan, has been awarded the French Freedom Prize in 2026. This prestigious international award was presented to him in recognition of his efforts to expand education and support children's right to schooling, particularly for girls.

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