“Equal Access at York gave me the freedom to study, rebuild, and hope again.”
Fawzia came to York to study a Masters, but when the Taliban took over, returning home afterwards became impossible. Here's how an Equal Access Scholarship from the York Sanctuary Fund enabled her to devote herself fully to her studies and University life.
Fawzia's path to doctoral research at York is shaped by displacement, resilience, and the legacy of a mother who valued education above all. Forced to flee Afghanistan as a child during the Soviet invasion, Fawzia’s family rebuilt their lives in another country, driven by her mother’s insistence that her daughters should receive the education she never had.
“Because of her sacrifice, my sister was the first woman in our whole family to attend university, then I became the first with a master’s,” Fawzia recalls. “Her belief in women’s education inspires everything I do.”
Returning to Afghanistan after her first master’s, Fawzia spent over a decade building her country; advising the Ministry of Transport, serving in the High Council for National Reconciliation, and working with the UNDP. Her goal was always to help rebuild Afghanistan through skill and policy. She set her sights on further study in the UK:
“The University of York’s Politics Department is renowned in Afghanistan, with alumni who’ve shaped my country’s future. I chose York for their rigorous public policy modules and supportive, diverse campus, preparing me for real impact as both policymaker and leader.”
But Fawzia’s plans took an unexpected turn. Arriving in the UK on a Chevening scholarship for a one-year master’s, she witnessed the Taliban’s return to power; shattering hopes of returning home, and weighing heavily on day-to-day life.
“The university supported me through those dark days, organising sessions for students from Afghanistan and giving us a platform to share our stories and raise awareness. This helped me turn pain into purpose.”
The opportunity to pursue a PhD at York came at just the right moment. Yet, even with scholarships, financial pressures in the UK loomed large. That’s when the York Sanctuary Fund stepped in, lifting the burden of tuition and living costs and making it possible for Fawzia to devote herself fully to research and university life. “Without this support, I would have been overwhelmed by financial stress, possibly forced to work instead of contributing to my field.”
For Fawzia and others from war-torn countries, the scholarship is far more than just financial aid. “It’s a beacon of hope; a chance to rebuild, to pursue dreams, to one day return and help with Afghanistan’s state-building. The ripple effect is enormous, empowering women to transform not just their own lives but families and communities back home.”
Fawzia’s message to donors is clear and heartfelt: “Your generosity doesn’t just change one life. You empower women who will go on to uplift families and rebuild societies. The Equal Access Scholarship has turned what could have been an uncertain, lonely journey into one filled with hope, community, and purpose. Thank you for believing in me and making this future possible.”
She challenges York to keep widening opportunities - improving support services, expanding scholarships, and strengthening community partnerships. “When diverse voices are heard and resourced, the impact multiplies - at York, back home in Afghanistan, and in post-conflict countries everywhere.”
Find out more about Equal Access Scholarships and the York Sanctuary Fund.