Etilaatroz Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting independent journalism on Afghanistan, has appointed Habiba Sarabi to its Board of Directors.
Sarabi joins a board that includes founder and President Zaki Daryabi and Chair William McCarren.
Sarabi is a former Governor of Bamyan Province and Afghanistan’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, and has held senior roles in the country’s peace and political processes. She has long been recognized for her work on governance, women’s rights, and education, including during periods when such work carried significant personal risk.
“Dr. Sarabi brings deep experience and a strong understanding of Afghanistan’s political and social realities,” said Zaki Daryabi. “Her presence strengthens our work as we continue to report on issues that require both independence and careful understanding of the country.”
Following the collapse of the Afghan Republic in 2021, members of the Etilaatroz team were forced to leave Afghanistan after facing threats, harassment, and violence. In the early days after the Taliban takeover, several journalists were beaten, and the organization was forced to suspend its Kabul newsroom. Today, a core editorial team operates from a newsroom in Silver Spring, Maryland, editing the reports and photos submitted by reporters and photographers who continue their work inside Afghanistan under very difficult circumstances. Etilaatroz remains banned by the Taliban, and working for the organization can lead to severe punishment.
Founded in Kabul, Etilaatroz built a reputation for investigative reporting focused on corruption, governance, and human rights. During its ten-year run in Afghanistan prior to the fall of Kabul, the outlet became one of the country’s leading independent media organizations. That work continues today through its Dari, Pashto, and Uzbek platforms, as well as its English-language publication, KabulNow.
The organization has recently converted from a business entity to a nonprofit foundation in the United States and has 501(c)(3) status. Individuals and foundations can support its work.