Zakia Khudadadi Wins the "Emerging Leader" Award at Paralympics 2025

The International Paralympic Committee announced on Saturday (22 March) the winners of its International Women's Day awards for 2025, naming Zakia Khudadadi the winner in the "Emerging Leader" category for her support of women's rights—especially the right to participate in sports.

Alongside her, Penny Briscoe won in the (Leadership) category, and the Iranian Paralympic Committee won in the (IPC Member) category.

After winning the award, Zakia Khudadadi said: "I am very grateful to have been selected as an emerging leader in the International Paralympic Committee's International Women's Day awards for 2025. This is a great honor for me and all the women of Afghanistan."

She added: "I feel as though I am experiencing a dream, but this is reality. Afghan women have courageously stood up against oppression and demand freedom not as a mere aspiration, but as an inalienable right. Their voices cannot be silenced because they come from hearts that beat for a brighter tomorrow."

It is noteworthy that Zakia Khudadadi was the first female athlete from Afghanistan to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. She made history at the 2024 Paralympic Games as a member of the World Refugee Team by winning a bronze medal.