Welcome to Rahela Trust
We provide a university scholarship and leadership mentoring programme for talented, underprivileged women in rural Afghanistan – for an inclusive and progressive future society.
Because women + education = positive change.
Education & Mentoring for Women in Afghanistan, presented by Rahela Trust & the South London United Nations Association
Come and spend time with us on Friday, 1st December at The Community Church in Putney, South London (SW15 2LL).
From 7:30 PM to 9:15 PM, you can expect a mix of Afghan and vegetarian food, engaging conversation, and an update on the current context by Rahela Sidiqi.
Please RSVP to attend.

The Big Give’s Woman & Girls Match Fund 2023 UPDATE
We reached our £5,000 fundraising goal, which means that in total, with Big Give’s match funding combined with the additional funds via Gift Aid, we raised a total of £10,762.50.
Thank you for your support.

Want to make a donation?
اعلان بورسيه
Call for Scholarship Applications October 2023
كانديدان بورسيه ها بين سن ١٨ الى ٣٠ بوده بايدمستعد و از دهات افغانستان باشد
We are seeking academically talented women (aged between 16-30) based in rural Afghanistan to apply for a Rahela Trust scholarship.
دكمه زرد را براى معلومات بيشتر شرايط بورسيه فشار دهيد
Press the yellow button to explore details.
تاريخ بسته شدن بورسيه ٥ دسمبر ٢٠٢٣
Applications closing on Tuesday 5th December 2023



An urgent message from Rahela Trust

Rahela Sidiqi
Rahela is the Founding Director of Rahela Trust.
She is the former Senior Advisor of Afghanistan’s Civil Service Commission and Senior Social Development Advisor of UN-Habitat Afghanistan. Since 1993, she has worked as a women’s rights activist at the grassroots and policy levels in Afghanistan.
Explore our latest blog posts

Afghan UK Community Event ~ Education & Mentoring for Women in Afghanistan
We’re excited to host, alongside the South London United Nations Association (SLUNA), our next UK Afghan community event. Event details:Date – Friday 1st December 2023Time – 7:30 PM – 21:15 PMLocation – The Community Church, Werter Road, London, SW15 2LLExpect a mix of Afghan and vegetarian food, engaging conversation, and an update on the current context […]

Call for Scholarship Applications 2023
Announcement in Dari د راحله امانت صندق د بورسیه دپاره. د ښځو ان لاین پوهنتون د راحله ټرسټ یا د راحله امانت صندق سره یو تړون امضا یا لاسلیک کړی د […]
The Woman & Girls Match Fund 2023
Despite marking two years since the Taliban banned women’s education in Afghanistan, we aren’t giving up hope. Our belief that positive change is still possible has earned us a spot in The Big Give’s Woman & Girls Match Fund 2023. Some key information: Between Wednesday 11th October to Wednesday 18th October, Rahela Trust aims to raise £5,000. […]
2 Years Since the Taliban Takeover
Today marks two years since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Our work providing university scholarships and mentoring to women in Afghanistan continues. Afghan women are not deterred from fighting for their rights and they do this in so many ways. Today, alongside our partner The Circle NGO we shine a light on one of our […]
Afghan Supper Club Cancelled ~ August 2023
We are so excited to share that Cue Point (@cuepointldn), Cue Point Kitchen, and the Leko Collective have joined in collaboration with the team at temper Shoreditch (@temperrestaurant) – part of the temper restaurant group – to bring you the most delicious, intimate Afghan supper club you’ll find in London. As well as a chance to […]
Rahela Trust’s AGM and Annual Lecture 2023
On Monday 27th February 2023, we hosted our AGM and Annual Lecture at the House of Lords. Talks centred around how women can access education and work in Afghanistan today. The event was chaired by Baroness Fiona Hodgson of Abginer, CBE, and we had four brilliant speakers including: – Dr. Davood Moradian (Director of Afghan Institute […]
In Response to the Taliban’s Latest Edict
A Message From Rahela Sidiqi – 20th January 2023 Rahela Trust responds to current situation and updates on activity.
Why Educating Girls Helps to Fight the Climate Crisis
How is education and the climate linked?The climate crisis is not a future problem, but a lived reality for billions of people. Already, the climate crisis is causing extreme temperatures, weather, droughts and floods across the globe, disrupting people’s lives – from livelihoods to food security to household income. These disruptions have consequences on pretty much every […]
The March for Freedom for Afghan Women and Girls
On Sunday 27th November, Zehra Zaidi, Co-founder of Action for Afghanistan organised a rally to call for urgent action against the Taliban’s violations against women’s fundamental rights and freedoms in Afghanistan. Prominent activists including Fawzia Koofi, Shukria Barakzai, Malala Yousafzai, Atefa Tayeb, Hammasa Kohistani and Sveto Muhammad Ishoq, all demonstrated their support at the event. Many other organisations showed […]