Public Interest Registry Names Sahar Education as 2024 .ORG Impact Awards Finalist

Seattle, WA - On August 13, 2024, Public Interest Registry (PIR), the organization behind the .ORG domain, proudly announced that Sahar Education has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 .ORG Impact Awards. This esteemed global awards program honors exceptional mission-driven individuals and organizations worldwide for their significant societal contributions.

Chosen from over 1,700 applications spanning nearly 90 countries, Sahar Education stood out for its work in clandestine education and empowerment programs for Afghan girls over 6th grade, currently banned by the Taliban from all educational institutions.

Sahar Education was chosen from a diverse pool of applicants from nearly 90 countries for their efforts to partner with grassroots, locally-based organizations to create educational opportunities and safe learning spaces for girls and women in Afghanistan, empowering and inspiring children and their families to build peaceful, thriving communities.

Executive Director, Meetra Alokozay shared her thoughts on the selection, "Through Sahar's commitment to education, we've helped empower thousands of young women with the knowledge and skills to shape their futures. The recognition by the .ORG Impact Awards amplifies our mission, shining a global light on the transformative power of education in the lives of Afghan girls and the communities they uplift. This recognition fuels our passion and reinforces our commitment to defying the education bans and building a brighter, more equitable future for all."

All winners will be revealed at an in-person awards ceremony on October 8 in Washington, D.C. Finalists from around the world will gather for the event, with each receiving a donation of $2,500 USD. Additionally, all finalists, including Sahar Education, will compete for larger donations ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 USD.

The 35 finalists represent the top five entries in each of the seven award categories:
● Community Building
● Quality Education for All
● Environmental Stewardship
● Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
● Health and Healing
● Hunger and Poverty
● Rising Stars (leaders under 25 making a difference in their communities)

Sahar Education is a finalist in the Quality Education for All category. Winners across all categories, including the prestigious .ORG of the Year, will be announced during the .ORG Impact Awards celebration on October 8. The .ORG of the Year winner will receive a $50,000 USD donation, while winners of the other categories will each receive $10,000 USD. Beyond the financial award, the recognition from the .ORG Impact Awards will help elevate the profiles of winning organizations, boosting donations, funding, talent acquisition, partnership development, and audience reach.

For complete rules and more information, please visit www.orgimpactawards.org.

About Public Interest Registry
Public Interest Registry (PIR) is a nonprofit that operates the .ORG top-level domain-one of the world's largest generic top-level domains with more than 11 million domain names registered worldwide. .ORG is open to everyone, providing a global platform for organizations, associations, clubs, businesses, and individuals to bring their ideas to life. PIR has been a champion for a free and open Internet for two decades with a clear mission to be an exemplary domain name registry, provide a trusted digital identity, and help educate those who dedicate themselves to improving our world. PIR was founded by the Internet Society (internetsociety.org) in 2002 and is based in Reston, Virginia, USA. Visit www.pir.org for more information.

Sahar Education
PO Box 17672, Seattle, WA 98127

Founded in 2009 by Julia Bolz, Sahar Education emerged from the vision of an international humanitarian lawyer and advocate driven by a profound connection to the Afghan people, particularly women, and girls, in the aftermath of 9/11. Initially named Ayni Education International, Sahar embarked on a mission encapsulated by the "Journey with an Afghan School" project, aimed at fostering understanding and creating educational opportunities between Afghan and American communities.

Headquartered in Seattle, WA, Sahar Education's achievements in Afghanistan's educational sector are notable. With 39 schools built, repaired, and equipped, Sahar has illuminated the lives of more than 250,000 students, collaborating with local and international entities to enhance its capabilities in providing aid, expertise, and sustainable solutions in development, legal, and human rights issues.

The Taliban's resurgence in 2021 prompted Sahar to adapt its strategies, focusing on clandestine educational support through underground schools, literacy and sewing programs, and empowerment/advocacy initiatives tailored for the Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif communities. This strategic pivot reflects Sahar's commitment to education and empowerment despite adversity.

Since September 2021, the return to school for all Afghan girls over the age of 12 has been indefinitely postponed, leaving 1.1 million girls and young women without access to formal education. Currently, 80% of school-aged Afghan girls and young women-2.5 million people-are out of school. (UNESCO, 2023)

Sahar Education is determined to provide educational opportunities to these girls by any means necessary. Learn more at www.SaharEducation.org

This release was published on openPR.