Magnitsky Awards
Winner’s Bio

Zahra Joya, an Afghan journalist, has been reporting since 2011, focusing on women’s and children’s issues. In 2020, she founded Rukhshana Media, a women-led news outlet covering women’s issues in Afghanistan. After being evacuated to Britain in 2021, she continued to manage Rukhshana Media from London.

Joya was recognized as one of Time’s 12 Women of 2022, included in the BBC’s 100 Women and Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia lists, and received awards from Valencia and the Gates Foundation. Rukhshana Media is named after a woman stoned to death by the Taliban in 2015.

As the founder of Rukhshana Media, Joya has demonstrated remarkable courage and dedication in amplifying the voices of Afghan women, even in the face of extreme adversity. Her commitment to reporting on women’s issues in Afghanistan, both before and after the Taliban takeover, has provided crucial insights into the challenges faced by Afghan women and girls.

Joya’s perseverance in continuing her work from exile, maintaining contact with her team in Afghanistan who risk their lives to report, exemplifies the highest ideals of journalism.

The Magnitsky Justice Campaign is awarding Zahra with the award for Outstanding Journalist award in recognition of her exceptional work in journalism and human rights advocacy. By honoring Joya with this award, we not only recognize her personal achievements but also shine a spotlight on the ongoing struggle for women’s rights and press freedom in Afghanistan.