The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghan education activist Matiullah Wesa has received the 2026 Freedom Award during a ceremony held in Cannes, France, recognizing his efforts to promote education and girls’ access to learning.
Organizers of the award said Wesa was honored for his continued advocacy for the right to education, particularly for girls, and his commitment to expanding access to learning opportunities for all.
According to available information, the Freedom Award is presented annually by young people around the world to an individual, organization or movement that has made significant contributions to advancing freedom, human rights and human dignity.
Following the ceremony, Wesa emphasized the importance of education, saying that no child — especially girls — should be deprived of the right to learn.
Wesa is a co-founder of the PenPath organization, which works in the areas of girls’ education, public awareness and human rights. The organization runs various programs aimed at expanding access to education in Afghanistan.
In recent years, Wesa has drawn international attention for his advocacy of girls’ education. He was previously detained by the Taliban for 215 days but continued to speak out for education rights after his release.
