Shabnam Nasimi

Shabnam Nasimi is an Afghan-British social activist, writer, and political commentator whose personal journey from refugee to public figure has shaped a career focused on advocacy, policy, and human rights. Nasimi arrived in the United Kingdom with her family, fleeing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and settled in South London as asylum seekers with no English language skills and limited resources. She pursued a law degree at the Open University and completed an MSc in global governance and international security at Birkbeck, University of London. Her experience as a former refugee informs her work across government, civil society, and media.

Nasimi has developed a career at the intersection of policy and advocacy. She served as a senior policy advisor in the Home Office and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, advising the minister for Afghan resettlement and the minister for refugees on policy and communications strategies, and contributing to the United Kingdom’s resettlement schemes for Afghans and Ukrainians. In this role, she supported Operation Warm Welcome, the United Kingdom’s initiative to integrate Afghans resettled after the Taliban’s return to power. Earlier in her career, she was involved in humanitarian aid and development projects funded by UKAid in Kabul, Balkh, and Parwan provinces of Afghanistan. Her professional experience includes work in counter-terrorism, implementing the Prevent Strategy through local government and civil service, and supporting vulnerable communities at risk of radicalization.

Nasimi founded Conservative Friends of Afghanistan to improve engagement between United Kingdom policymakers and the Afghan diaspora, supporting initiatives that encourage Afghan representation in public life, including mentoring candidates for local council elections. She co-founded the Friends of Afghan Women Network with journalist Sarah Sands, an organization that raises awareness of Afghan women’s issues internationally and directs support to grassroots efforts within Afghanistan. The network provides Afghan women with direct support, fostering solidarity, mentorship, and economic empowerment. Nasimi also works to protect girls and women from forced marriage, domestic abuse, and cultural and religious oppression in Afghanistan and globally.

Nasimi regularly offers commentary and analysis on BBC News, Sky News, BBC Newsnight, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, TRT World, France 24, and BBC Persian, and is the first person of Afghan origin to become a political commentator on British politics in the United Kingdom. She has contributed articles to The Times, The Telegraph, The Financial Times, Prospect, Foreign Policy, and The i, among other platforms. She is an experienced event moderator, having led discussions at platforms including the Conservative Party Conference, Raisina Dialogue, and UK Parliament. Nasimi runs a newsletter, "Our Forgotten History," focusing on Afghanistan’s overlooked intellectual and cultural history, and has co-authored a published book on Afghanistan-Pakistan relations.

Nasimi’s work has been recognized by The House magazine’s Women in Westminster: The 100, an initiative celebrating women’s contributions to public life. She was also shortlisted as one of BBC’s 100 Women and was awarded Inspirational Women in Public Affairs by Policy Mogul. She serves as an ambassador of the 50:50 Parliament campaign. Across government, media, and international forums, Nasimi continues to amplify the voices of marginalized communities and advocate for refugee rights, women’s rights, and inclusive policy development.