Sakena
Yacoobi is the founder of the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), one of the largest
nonprofit organizations in Afghanistan. Founded in 1995, AIL provides education
and health services for more than 350,000 Afghan women and children each year.
Her organization works to find culturally appropriate ways to provide education
for girls and women, and has trained more than 10,000 teachers. Sakena Yacoobi
is also involved in other international organizations for women and children's
rights, including co-founding Creating Hope International, working with the International
Rescue Committee and serving as a board member of the Global Fund For Women. Sakena
Yacoobi has received numerous awards in recognition of her dedication. In 2004
she was awarded the Gruber Prize for Women's Rights; in 2005 she received the
Democracy Award from the National Endowment for Democracy as well as being nominated
for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the 1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize
project; and in 2006 Sakena Yacoobi received both the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship
and a fellowship with the Ashoka Foundation, acknowledging her important role
as a social entrepreneur.
