31-year-old Afghan climber and refugee Zakia (River) Ahmad, residing in Australia, became the first woman from Afghanistan to summit Everest on May 21, 2026.
The ascent was part of her international campaign advocating for the right of Afghan girls to education and the protection of women’s rights, notes Fergana.
Ahmad began preparing for the expedition in 2025. At that time, she also launched a fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform, stating that she was climbing the highest peak in the world “for the freedom of women, education, and mental health,” as well as in support of Afghan girls who have been deprived of the opportunity to study since the Taliban came to power.
Following her successful ascent, the athlete intensified her campaign to draw attention to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and continued fundraising. She addresses her appeal to the international community, urging support for Afghan women who have not had access to secondary and higher education for nearly five years.
Ahmad emphasizes that she views her achievement not only as a sporting success but also as a symbol of solidarity with women deprived of basic rights. According to her, the status of the first Afghan woman on Everest should serve as a tool to raise awareness of the issue and support educational initiatives.
As reported by Amu TV, Zakia Ahmad called on the global community to “not remain on the sidelines” and to become the voice of Afghan women, whose rights continue to be systematically restricted. The report also mentions actions by Afghan activists and diaspora members in Europe, including Germany, where calls are being made to reopen schools and universities for girls in Afghanistan.
Ahmad herself gained refugee status after experiencing an attack by the Taliban in her youth.
