• Co-Founder & Director

    Shabnam Nasimi co-founded FAWN in 2024.

    She previously worked as a Senior Policy Advisor to the UK Minister for Refugees and Minister for Afghan Resettlement. She is a writer, commentator and a human rights advocate.

    Shabnam was also the founder and Executive Director of the Conservative Friends of Afghanistan.

FAWN Team

  • Co-Founder

    Sarah Sands is a British journalist and author. She previously edited the London Evening Standard and Today on BBC Radio 4 from 2017 to 2020.

    Sarah is the Deputy Chair of the British Council and former Chair of the Gender Equality Advisory Council for G7 (2021).

  • Afghanistan Program Coordinator

    Marzia brings over 20 years of experience working with international NGOs in Afghanistan, making her an invaluable advocate for sustainable development and women's empowerment.

    She has served as an M&E Consultant for The Asia Foundation in Samangan province and as an Outreach Advisor for USAID. Her expertise extends to roles such as Gender Consultant for GIZ, Community Organiser for Afghan Aid, and Female Loan Officer for the Agha Khan Rural Microcredit Program. Since 2006, Marzia has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at fostering community resilience for women and girls in Afghanistan.