yalda.royan@gmail.com

Ms. Yalda Royan was born in Kabul and is a senior women’s rights activist having experience in development, gender and human rights. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from Gawharshad University and has done her master’s in Gender and Women’s Studies at Kabul University.  Ms. Yalda Royan comes with 16 years of work experience in senior advisory and management positions with government organizations such as Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) and some prominent local and international non-government organizations including Afghan Civil Society Forum (ACSF), United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Counterpart International (CPI), The Asia Foundation (TAF) and Development Alternatives Inc (DAI) in Promote Musharikat.  Her professional background includes expertise in designing and leading gender initiatives, women’s empowerment and equality, with specific expertise in women’s rights, gender and civil society, advocacy, women’s political participation, gender mainstreaming, gender based violence, conflict resolution and peace and security.  In her personal capacity, Ms. Royan volunteers with ROYA – Resources for Young Afghans to promote girls’ access to education through mentoring and sponsoring street children. She also helps Gahwara, a local foundation working for children’s literature to provide Afghan children with opportunities to read. She has attended several dialogues and capacity development sessions on peace and security, good governance and leadership.