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Prominent Attorney and Influential Leader in Justice and Women’s Rights
Prominent Attorney and Influential Leader in Justice and Women’s Rights
Najla Raheel is one of Afghanistan’s most prominent and influential figures in law, justice, and women’s rights. She is a nationally recognized attorney within Afghanistan’s judicial system and a pioneering advocate for women’s rights.
Throughout her career, she has held multiple leadership positions and played a vital role in advancing justice, legal reforms, and the protection of victims of violence. She has represented clients in over two thousand legal cases, most of which involved women and children affected by violence and discrimination. In landmark national cases, including the Farkhunda Malikzada case, she demonstrated courage and integrity, securing her legacy as one of Afghanistan’s most respected attorneys.
Early Life and Education
Najla Raheel was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and grew up in a context marked by war, discrimination, and political instability. During the first Taliban regime, she was denied access to formal education but continued learning through underground schooling, developing a lifelong commitment to justice and women’s rights.
After the fall of the Taliban, she resumed her education and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Law (Sharia) from Kabul University. She then completed a Master’s degree in Criminal Law at the Islamic Azad University in Kabul, with a thesis titled “Compensation for Victims of Suicide Attacks by the State in Afghanistan and International Instruments.”
She later began her PhD studies in Private Law at Islamic Azad University in Tehran. After the collapse of Afghanistan, she continued part of her studies online in exile but was unable to complete them due to migration challenges.
Legal and Professional Experience
Najla Raheel has over 14 years of experience in Afghanistan’s judicial system as an attorney, legal researcher, and justice advocate. She has defended the rights of women, children, and victims of violence and discrimination and contributed significantly to legal reforms in the country.
Her key leadership roles include:
She is widely recognized for her contributions to gender-sensitive legal reform, particularly in the revision of the Penal Code.
Migration and Leadership in Exile
Following the return of the Taliban and increasing threats against civil society activists, Najla Raheel was forced to leave Afghanistan. Through the Vital Voices program, she relocated to Albania, where she volunteered in a refugee camp as a coordinator for Afghan refugees.
After resettling in Canada, she continued her legal and civic engagement, focusing on leadership development and the empowerment of Afghan women in exile.
Founding HOVIAT – Women’s Identity
Her extensive experience in Afghanistan’s legal system and the humanitarian consequences of the country’s collapse inspired her to establish HOVIAT – Women’s Identity.
This non-profit organization works to empower Afghan women, restore their social and cultural identity, and build solidarity networks among women inside and outside Afghanistan.
Under her leadership, HOVIAT serves as a bridge between marginalized and empowered women—a platform for rebuilding confidence, amplifying women’s voices, and strengthening their role in society and beyond.
Vision and Mission
Najla Raheel represents courageous and principled leadership in the pursuit of justice and equality. She believes that through unity, awareness, and collective action, unequal structures can be transformed and pathways to justice and freedom can be created.
Her work through HOVIAT demonstrates that even in exile, the voices of Afghan women remain powerful and capable of inspiring meaningful global and national change.