Saleha Soadat is an award-winning journalist from Afghanistan with over 10 years of experience in digital media and public affairs reporting. As an Afghan female journalist writing about women’s and children’s human rights issues, Saleha was a trailblazer in her industry. After the Taliban takeover of Kabul in August 2021, she evacuated to the United States where she remains dedicated to using her talents and the power of the pen to stand up for justice. 

Saleha was born and raised in Kabul; and throughout her early life, she experienced inequality, discrimination, injustice, and civil war. After 9/11 and the arrival of US forces along with the international community to expel the Taliban, things got comparatively better: she and other Afghan women became hopeful because they got the opportunity to get an education and to grow professionally.

Without the Taliban’s anti-women policies, Saleha was able to complete high school and enroll in Kabul University, graduating with a degree in Journalism and starting her career in radio and TV. Saleha was a regular contributor to ToloNews, a private news channel in Kabul, broadcasting the main bulletin every evening to millions of viewers. 

Saleha has earned multiple awards as a journalist in Afghanistan, including two “Best Reporter” Awards from the Afghanistan Parliament / Senate; seven National Awards, including for Human Rights reporter; and was named “Peace Reporter” by the United States Institute of Peace. These awards reflect her expertise, experiences, and commitment to the causes that are so critical to her.

In addition to her journalism experiences, Saleha was an Independent Parliamentary Candidate from Kabul for the Afghanistan Election in 2018.