Selay Ghaffar is a Master’s student of International Development Studies at York University, and an internationally acclaimed women’s rights activist. Selay was the executive director of Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan between 2005-2015. During that time, she managed to provide free education andhealth care for children and women in Afghanistan, as well as legal aid and protection for female victims of violence. In 2014 she became a spokesperson of the Solidarity Party of Afghanistan, and she had an active role in many highly visible national and international conferences and events. To learn more about Selay’s activism, I highly recommend the excellent documentary I Am the Revolution. Selay’s work is prominently featured in the film, and it’s a really compelling watch.

Selay has now brought her activist spirit from the political arena to an academic environment. Her present research at York surrounds Afghan women’s rights activists who have recently immigrated to Canada, exploring their experiences of transition and integration.