The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has awarded its International Anti-Corruption Award to Afghan education activist Matiullah Wesa, recognising his years of work promoting education, social justice and anti-corruption efforts, particularly for girls and young people in Afghanistan.
Wesa, the founder of the Rah-e-Qalam (Pen Path) organisation, has been widely known for leading grassroots campaigns to promote access to education in remote and conflict-affected areas of Afghanistan. His group organised mobile libraries, literacy programs and community outreach, with a particular focus on girls’ education.
He was detained by the Taliban in March 2023 following public advocacy for girls’ right to education and spent several months in custody before being released later that year. His arrest drew condemnation from human rights groups and international organisations, which said it reflected growing pressure on civil society activists under Taliban rule.
The award was presented during a ceremony in Doha marking the ninth edition of the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award, hosted by Qatar in cooperation with UNODC and the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Center.
UNODC said Wesa was recognised for his “tireless efforts” to promote education, awareness and accountability, noting that corruption and the denial of education disproportionately affect young people and women in conflict-affected societies.
Speaking at the ceremony, UNODC Acting Executive Director John Brandolino said the award honoured individuals who refuse to accept corruption as inevitable and who work to defend integrity and justice despite personal risk.
The event was attended by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, senior Qatari officials, diplomats and representatives of international organisations.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from secondary schools and universities and imposed sweeping restrictions on civil society, moves that have prompted repeated criticism from the United Nations and foreign governments.
