Maryam Rayed

Maryam Rayed is an advocate for peace, freedom, and equality, born and raised in Afghanistan. As a Fulbright scholar, she pursued a master’s degree in Governance and Democracy at Georgetown University, specializing in institution building, governance assistance, and the intersection of institutional fragility, conflict, and community resilience. Throughout her career, Maryam has prioritized women and youth empowerment, placing them at the core of her work. She has held the role of deputy director of Foreign Relations and Human Rights at the Ministry of Peace in Afghanistan. Moreover, she founded the Afghanistan Women’s Think Tank, a women-led organization focused on promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan through a feminine lens. Maryam holds a master’s degree in Gender and Women’s Studies and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Philosophy from Kabul University. She has expanded her academic horizons through the Erasmus Plus program, with study experiences in Poland and Germany. She is fluent in Farsi/ Dari and Pashto and has some understanding of Arabic and Urdu.