AWS Board Team
Together, we are architects of change, weaving dreams into reality, and illuminating the path of opportunity for Afghan women.
Selai Balkhi
Founder and President
Elaine O'Brien
Board Member, Finance Leader and AWS Teacher
Robin and James
English Bridging Program Leader
Asra S.
Local Leader and Coordinator
Selai Balkhi
Founder and Leader
Hello, I'm Selai Balkhi, founder and leader of the Afghan Women Support Association (AWS). With deep roots in Afghanistan and a vibrant upbringing in Switzerland, I've always been driven by a sense of justice and a passion for education. I spent seven years as a primary school teacher in Switzerland, where I witnessed the transformative power of education firsthand.
My connection to Afghanistan is profound. I've traveled there four times, witnessing the challenges faced by women. These experiences inspired me to take action, leading to the founding of AWS. Our mission is to empower Afghan women, providing them with opportunities, education, and sustainable change.
In addition to my teaching role, I'm pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Science (MSc). This academic pursuit deepens my commitment to addressing the unique challenges women face in education. AWS is more than an organization; it's a movement driven by compassion and the belief in every woman's potential..
Contact: selai.balkhi@afghanwomensupport.ch
Elaine O'Brien
Leader Finance
Elaine O‘Brien has always had a passion for human rights and women’s education, and has been a volunteer teacher with AWS since early 2024. Volunteering for AWS is a source of never-ending inspiration for her.
"The students, the local staff and the other volunteers at AWS show the powerful impact of connection and what strength we give each other to keep striving for a better world.“
Elaine has a Masters in International & European Law from the University of Amsterdam, NL and a Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge, UK. She is the Head of Sustainability Risk Management at Swiss Re and is a member of the board of the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance. She grew up in Ireland and lives in Zurich, and is a dual citizen of Ireland and Switzerland.
Contact: elaine.obrien@afghanwomensupport.ch
Asra S.
Leader and Coordinator (Afghanistan)
Greetings, I am Asra. S., an activist and advocate for women's rights and education, holding a Bachelor's degree in Law from Kabul. My journey as an activist is fueled by the belief that education and empowerment are key to progress.
As the coordinator of Afghan Women Support, I guide dedicated teachers in Afghanistan, ensuring they have the resources to provide quality education. I also oversee our impactful bag project, empowering women through skill development and entrepreneurship.
Managing our English classrooms, I help break language barriers and open opportunities for our students, connecting Afghan women with the global community. My work is driven by the belief that every woman deserves the chance to learn, grow, and prosper.
Contact: asra.stanikzai@afghanwomensupport.ch
Robin and James
Leaders Bridging Program classes,
Volunteer Recruitment
Hi there! We’re Robin and James, the coordinators for the English Bridging Program. We have been educators for many years - over 25 years teaching children in primary, middle and secondary school and over 5 years teaching in a four-year teacher education program at a university. We have been lucky to see the way learning has impacted the lives of our students, and we are very excited to join AWS and their efforts to make this possible for women in Afghanistan. Whether we are teachers or students, there is so much to learn for all of us.
Contact: education@afghanwomensupport.ch
Suhaila N.
Technical support and robotics (Afghanistan)
Suhaila is a talented young Afghan woman who was forced to stop her formal education after the school ban for girls. Despite these restrictions, she continued to develop her skills independently, especially in robotics, coding, art, and technical problem-solving.
Today, she supports Afghan Women Support locally by assisting with process coordination, robotics teaching, and the implementation of our BEEKEE offline learning system. With her creativity, technical talent, and strong commitment, she plays a key role in strengthening our educational programs on the ground.
Suhaila represents resilience, innovation, and the power of young Afghan women who continue to learn and lead — even when denied formal opportunities.