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Zahra Joya

Afghan Journalist, Feminist & Founder of Rukhshana Media

Afghan Journalist, Feminist & Founder of Rukhshana Media

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Afghanistan
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Zahra Joya Biography

Zahra Joya was 5 years old when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan and banned girls’ education. Undeterred, she dressed in boys’ clothing and walked two hours to and from school every day. After the U.S. invasion in 2001, she dropped her disguise, finished her schooling, and enrolled as a law student, before discovering her calling as a journalist.

Afghanistan has long been an extremely dangerous place to be a female journalist. According to Reporters Without Borders, 80% of women journalists have lost their jobs since the collapse of the Afghan government in August.

In December 2020, Joya founded Rukhshana Media, the country's first feminist news agency. She had been motivated to do so after a friend's suggestion, and due to the responses of her male colleagues regarding the lack of female journalists. The outlet was named Rukhshana to honor a 19-year-old girl who was stoned to death by the Taliban in 2015 in Ghor Province. The girl was sentenced to death for having eloped with a lover after her family had arranged a marriage for her. Joya's aim was to bring light to the reality of life for Afghan women with stories published and reported on by local female journalists, covering issues like rape and forced marriage. She established Rukhshana Media with her own savings but had to launch an online fundraiser to keep operations running. She was critical of the Taliban and reported on their crackdown on female public servants in the months before the US and its allies withdrew their troops. A few days before the country fell to the Taliban, she collaborated with The Guardian to publish the Women Report Afghanistan project, reporting on the Taliban takeover. Joya and her colleagues received a number of threats for their journalism.

Due to her reporting and because of the Taliban's longtime persecution of Hazaras, Joya was a target of the Taliban. Fearing for her life, she decided to flee the country. She received an evacuation notice from the British government and was eventually airlifted to London. She continues to run Rukhshana Media in exile, and remains in contact with her team who send her reports from Afghanistan in secret. Most female Afghan journalists were forced to leave their jobs after the takeover.

Joya was one of 12 women named Time's Women of the Year in 2022. She was recognized for her journalism, and was interviewed by Angelina Jolie.

Rukhshana Media received the Marie Colvin Award at the British Journalism Awards 2021.

Zahra Joya Videos

  • Zahra Joya: Women of the Year
    "Zahra Joya was 5 years old when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan and banned girls’ education. Undeterred, she dressed in boys’ clothing and...
  • Angelina Jolie talks to Zahra Joya who fled from Taliban
  • Zahra Joya Keynote - Trust Conference 2021
    Zahra Joya, Journalist & Founder of Afghanistan’s Rukhshana Media, delivers a keynote address.

FAQs on booking Zahra Joya

  • How do I book Zahra Joya to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Zahra Joya for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Zahra Joya, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Zahra Joya or any other speaker of your choice.
  • What are the speaker fees for Zahra Joya

    Speaking fees for Zahra Joya, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Zahra Joya are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Zahra Joya, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Zahra Joya speak about?

    Zahra Joya is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Culture, Influential Women, Journalism, Leadership Speakers, Media, Speakers by Industry, Women In Leadership, Women's Issues.
  • Where does Zahra Joya travel from?

    Zahra Joya generally travels from Afghanistan, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
  • Who is Zahra Joya’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Zahra Joya for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Zahra Joya for your next private or corporate function.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Zahra Joya or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
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Zahra Joya is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Zahra Joya for your event is available upon request. Zahra Joya generally travels from Afghanistan and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jodi Kantor, Mika Brzezinski, The Sis Official, Lindsey Granger and Roberta Brandes Gratz. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Zahra Joya for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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