Afghan education activist Matiullah Wesa received the 2026 Liberty Prize on Thursday during a ceremony in the French city of Caen, according to a post on X by Région Normandie.
The award, known as the Prix Liberté, is selected by young people from around the world and recognizes individuals for their contributions to the defense of freedom and human rights.
“Today, the youth of the world awarded the 2026 Liberty Prize to Matiullah Wesa,” Région Normandie said in its post. The regional government said Wesa received the award in recognition of his commitment to education for all.
Wesa is the founder of PenPath, an organization that has campaigned for access to education across Afghanistan, particularly in remote and underserved communities. He has become one of the country’s most prominent advocates for children’s education and girls’ schooling.
His advocacy drew international attention after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and imposed sweeping restrictions on education for girls. Wesa was detained by the Taliban in March 2023 and held for several months before being released later that year.
The Liberty Prize was established by the Normandy Region in France to honor individuals and organizations that promote freedom, human rights and peace. The winner is chosen through a vote involving thousands of young people from different countries.
Wesa’s recognition comes as Afghan girls remain barred from secondary schools and universities under Taliban policies that have drawn widespread international condemnation. Rights groups and UN agencies have repeatedly called for the restoration of access to education for all children in the country.
