Education Cannot Wait Interviews Somaya Faruqi, ECW Global Champion
Somaya Faruqi is Education Cannot Wait’s Global Champion. The former Captain of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team made international headlines when she and her team of ‘Afghan Dreamers’ built a ventilator from used car parts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faruqi was born in Herat, Afghanistan in 2002. She cultivated her love of engineering in her father’s mechanic shop. Her high\ school career and leadership of the Afghan Dreamers was cut short by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. She and the rest of her teammates had to flee the country in August 2021.
Currently an engineering student, Faruqi has received several awards over her young career, including being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2021, BBC’s 100 Women in 2020, and the 2017 Silver Medal for Courageous Achievement at the FIRST Global Challenge – in recognition of science and technology in the US.
ECW: Education Cannot Wait recently named you as an ECW Global Champion. Growing up in Afghanistan, you’ve experienced first-hand what it means to overcome barriers for girls to access education. Why was education so important for you?
Somaya Faruqi: As a girl growing up in Afghanistan, I have had to face deeply entrenched gender inequalities. Early on, I realized that women and men were perceived differently in my society and that we were not valued equally. At the same time, I realized that education is the key to changing this imbalance and the negative social and cultural norms affecting girls and women – to show my country that girls have the potential to positively contribute to our society. Equal access to quality education for all girls and boys, all the way through secondary and tertiary education, is the foundation upon which to achieve positive progress.
I fully grasped the power of education when, together with my six peers of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics team, we developed robots and devices like the ventilator we built in 2020 from used car parts and a blueprint from MIT. This had never been done in Afghanistan, even by men.
Through this experience, I could see that my education and my skills changed the way my family perceived me. So, I understood that education is the only weapon against ignorance and child marriage. A girl who is educated has the power to change the lives of her whole family and her whole community. Now that I have personally experienced the power of education, I want to use my voice to advocate for all girls to have access to education to make a positive change in their lives and society.
ECW: Since the Taliban takeover in 2021 in Afghanistan, several restrictions on girls’ access to education and on women’s full participation in the workforce and society have been imposed. What can donors and world leaders do to support the return of girls’ education in Afghanistan?
Somaya Faruqi: One way to support Afghan girls – and fight against this misogynistic ‘anti-women’ stance – is to include Afghan girls and women in ongoing negotiation efforts. Girls and women must have a seat at the table and their voices must be heard. It is impossible for the Taliban or others to understand the specific needs for girls’ education without talking with female activists and civil society.
Governments and world leaders mustn’t abandon the Afghan people. They should fund the education system in Afghanistan. Even as the crisis continues, efforts should redouble to ensure that everyone has access to education. Donor funding can at least support community-based learning classes, which are crucial nowadays in places like Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Sahel, Nigeria and other crisis-affected contexts worldwide.
At the tertiary level, universities around the world can also contribute with online classes for girls and youth in crisis-affected countries that can be financially supported by donors.
ECW: You were the Captain of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team and you are now studying to be an engineer. How can we improve access for girls – and the teaching of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – for crisis-impacted children worldwide?
Somaya Faruqi: For me, studying engineering is a way to show societies that perpetuate harmful patriarchal and misogynistic ‘anti-women’ norms that I can be a female and a successful engineer. In doing this, I hope to contribute to changing the stereotype of men in engineering.
This is the 21st century – the century of technology – and any support to new educational opportunities for crisis-impacted children should include science and technology in their curricula as well. In addition, technology can be a perfect tool to expand educational opportunities for crisis-affected children, for instance, online and remote classes to reach all girls and boys and contribute to closing the gender digital divide.
Today, there are 222 million crisis-affected children that require urgent education supports. This means we are losing 222 million incredible talents like great engineers, doctors, scientists, writers, teachers and leaders! We cannot waste any talent. World leaders, private and public donors, and governments must make new funding commitments to Education Cannot Wait to support educational opportunities for these 222 million children. This can make #222MillionDreams✨📚 come true, and by having 222 million successful people, we can create a better world for all!
ECW: You were a key speaker at Education Cannot Wait’s High-Level Financing Conference. What were the top three key points you made before the audience of donors, partners and UN and civil society representatives?
Somaya Faruqi: As the keynote speaker and ECW Global Champion at Education Cannot Wait's High-Level Financing Conference, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to shine a light on the harsh reality faced by 222 million children worldwide – they are being denied the basic human right of education. My heart aches especially for the girls in Afghanistan who currently do not have access to education at all.
During my speech, I emphasized the critical importance of funding education systems in countries affected by the crises. Education is not just a privilege – it's a vital lifeline that provides a pathway out of poverty, conflict and despair. We must invest in education if we hope to build a more just and equitable world for all.
I highlighted the efficiency of working together which is key to empowering these 222 million children and adolescents. We cannot do it alone. It's only by combining our resources, talents and passions that we can create lasting change. We must put aside our differences and work towards a common goal: a brighter future for every child, regardless of their circumstances.
Finally, I implored all in the audience to take real actions, not just make empty promises. We have talked about the importance of education for far too long without taking meaningful steps toward improving access and quality. It's time to turn words into action and make education a top priority. These 222 million children are counting on us. Let's not let them down.
ECW: As not only a keynote speaker at the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference, but also as a participant, what were the top three takeaway points that you heard from other speakers?
Somaya Faruqi: As an attentive participant in the conference, my heart was truly touched by the inspiring messages delivered by each of the speakers. I was captivated by the passion and dedication exhibited by these young advocates, who hailed from various corners of the world and had experienced firsthand the effects of the crises we face today. Their honest accounts of the challenges they had faced truly remind me of girls of my county Afghanistan, and left me with feelings of both ‘missing out’ on a normal life and feeling empowered to make a change.
One particular moment that truly stood out to me was when Nafisa delivered her powerful statement that the climate crisis is, in fact, a children's crisis. This sentence left a lasting impression on my mind and made me realize the urgency of taking immediate action to protect our planet and safeguard the future of our children.
Another aspect of the conference that I found truly inspiring was the discussion around education funding. It was heartening to see how different countries had come together to support the education in emergencies sector, demonstrating that when we work together, we can truly make a difference. As one young advocate rightly pointed out, transparency is key when it comes to using these funds effectively, and I couldn't agree more.
Overall, this conference was a truly enlightening experience for me. It highlighted the importance of coming together to tackle the various crises we face, and emphasized the critical role that young advocates play in driving meaningful change. I left feeling inspired and motivated to take action, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a powerful and impactful event.
ECW: Our readers would like to get to know you a little better. What are the three books that have most influenced you so far? Why would you recommend them to others to read?
Somaya Faruqi: The first book that truly influenced me is "I Am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai. Her story of fighting for her right to education and standing up against the Taliban inspired me to continue my own fight for girls' education in Afghanistan.
The second book that has influenced me is "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. This book sheds light on the many challenges faced by women around the world, and highlights the critical importance of empowering women and girls through education and other means.
The third book that has influenced me is "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. This book has taught me to live in the present moment and to be fully present in everything I do, which has been incredibly helpful in my work as an activist.
Somaya Faruqi is Education Cannot Wait’s Global Champion. The former Captain of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team made international headlines when she and her team of ‘Afghan Dreamers’ built a ventilator from used car parts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Faruqi was born in Herat, Afghanistan in 2002. She cultivated her love of engineering in her father’s mechanic shop. Her high\ school career and leadership of the Afghan Dreamers was cut short by the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. She and the rest of her teammates had to flee the country in August 2021.
Currently an engineering student, Faruqi has received several awards over her young career, including being named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2021, BBC’s 100 Women in 2020, and the 2017 Silver Medal for Courageous Achievement at the FIRST Global Challenge – in recognition of science and technology in the US.
ECW: Education Cannot Wait recently named you as an ECW Global Champion. Growing up in Afghanistan, you’ve experienced first-hand what it means to overcome barriers for girls to access education. Why was education so important for you?
Somaya Faruqi: As a girl growing up in Afghanistan, I have had to face deeply entrenched gender inequalities. Early on, I realized that women and men were perceived differently in my society and that we were not valued equally. At the same time, I realized that education is the key to changing this imbalance and the negative social and cultural norms affecting girls and women – to show my country that girls have the potential to positively contribute to our society. Equal access to quality education for all girls and boys, all the way through secondary and tertiary education, is the foundation upon which to achieve positive progress.
I fully grasped the power of education when, together with my six peers of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics team, we developed robots and devices like the ventilator we built in 2020 from used car parts and a blueprint from MIT. This had never been done in Afghanistan, even by men.
Through this experience, I could see that my education and my skills changed the way my family perceived me. So, I understood that education is the only weapon against ignorance and child marriage. A girl who is educated has the power to change the lives of her whole family and her whole community. Now that I have personally experienced the power of education, I want to use my voice to advocate for all girls to have access to education to make a positive change in their lives and society.
ECW: Since the Taliban takeover in 2021 in Afghanistan, several restrictions on girls’ access to education and on women’s full participation in the workforce and society have been imposed. What can donors and world leaders do to support the return of girls’ education in Afghanistan?
Somaya Faruqi: One way to support Afghan girls – and fight against this misogynistic ‘anti-women’ stance – is to include Afghan girls and women in ongoing negotiation efforts. Girls and women must have a seat at the table and their voices must be heard. It is impossible for the Taliban or others to understand the specific needs for girls’ education without talking with female activists and civil society.
Governments and world leaders mustn’t abandon the Afghan people. They should fund the education system in Afghanistan. Even as the crisis continues, efforts should redouble to ensure that everyone has access to education. Donor funding can at least support community-based learning classes, which are crucial nowadays in places like Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Sahel, Nigeria and other crisis-affected contexts worldwide.
At the tertiary level, universities around the world can also contribute with online classes for girls and youth in crisis-affected countries that can be financially supported by donors.
ECW: You were the Captain of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team and you are now studying to be an engineer. How can we improve access for girls – and the teaching of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – for crisis-impacted children worldwide?
Somaya Faruqi: For me, studying engineering is a way to show societies that perpetuate harmful patriarchal and misogynistic ‘anti-women’ norms that I can be a female and a successful engineer. In doing this, I hope to contribute to changing the stereotype of men in engineering.
This is the 21st century – the century of technology – and any support to new educational opportunities for crisis-impacted children should include science and technology in their curricula as well. In addition, technology can be a perfect tool to expand educational opportunities for crisis-affected children, for instance, online and remote classes to reach all girls and boys and contribute to closing the gender digital divide.
Today, there are 222 million crisis-affected children that require urgent education supports. This means we are losing 222 million incredible talents like great engineers, doctors, scientists, writers, teachers and leaders! We cannot waste any talent. World leaders, private and public donors, and governments must make new funding commitments to Education Cannot Wait to support educational opportunities for these 222 million children. This can make #222MillionDreams✨📚 come true, and by having 222 million successful people, we can create a better world for all!
ECW: You were a key speaker at Education Cannot Wait’s High-Level Financing Conference. What were the top three key points you made before the audience of donors, partners and UN and civil society representatives?
Somaya Faruqi: As the keynote speaker and ECW Global Champion at Education Cannot Wait's High-Level Financing Conference, I felt a deep sense of responsibility to shine a light on the harsh reality faced by 222 million children worldwide – they are being denied the basic human right of education. My heart aches especially for the girls in Afghanistan who currently do not have access to education at all.
During my speech, I emphasized the critical importance of funding education systems in countries affected by the crises. Education is not just a privilege – it's a vital lifeline that provides a pathway out of poverty, conflict and despair. We must invest in education if we hope to build a more just and equitable world for all.
I highlighted the efficiency of working together which is key to empowering these 222 million children and adolescents. We cannot do it alone. It's only by combining our resources, talents and passions that we can create lasting change. We must put aside our differences and work towards a common goal: a brighter future for every child, regardless of their circumstances.
Finally, I implored all in the audience to take real actions, not just make empty promises. We have talked about the importance of education for far too long without taking meaningful steps toward improving access and quality. It's time to turn words into action and make education a top priority. These 222 million children are counting on us. Let's not let them down.
ECW: As not only a keynote speaker at the Education Cannot Wait High-Level Financing Conference, but also as a participant, what were the top three takeaway points that you heard from other speakers?
Somaya Faruqi: As an attentive participant in the conference, my heart was truly touched by the inspiring messages delivered by each of the speakers. I was captivated by the passion and dedication exhibited by these young advocates, who hailed from various corners of the world and had experienced firsthand the effects of the crises we face today. Their honest accounts of the challenges they had faced truly remind me of girls of my county Afghanistan, and left me with feelings of both ‘missing out’ on a normal life and feeling empowered to make a change.
One particular moment that truly stood out to me was when Nafisa delivered her powerful statement that the climate crisis is, in fact, a children's crisis. This sentence left a lasting impression on my mind and made me realize the urgency of taking immediate action to protect our planet and safeguard the future of our children.
Another aspect of the conference that I found truly inspiring was the discussion around education funding. It was heartening to see how different countries had come together to support the education in emergencies sector, demonstrating that when we work together, we can truly make a difference. As one young advocate rightly pointed out, transparency is key when it comes to using these funds effectively, and I couldn't agree more.
Overall, this conference was a truly enlightening experience for me. It highlighted the importance of coming together to tackle the various crises we face, and emphasized the critical role that young advocates play in driving meaningful change. I left feeling inspired and motivated to take action, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of such a powerful and impactful event.
ECW: Our readers would like to get to know you a little better. What are the three books that have most influenced you so far? Why would you recommend them to others to read?
Somaya Faruqi: The first book that truly influenced me is "I Am Malala" by Malala Yousafzai. Her story of fighting for her right to education and standing up against the Taliban inspired me to continue my own fight for girls' education in Afghanistan.
The second book that has influenced me is "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. This book sheds light on the many challenges faced by women around the world, and highlights the critical importance of empowering women and girls through education and other means.
The third book that has influenced me is "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. This book has taught me to live in the present moment and to be fully present in everything I do, which has been incredibly helpful in my work as an activist.
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