Roya Mahboob, Afghan entrepreneur and co-founder of the Afghan Girls Robotic Team, on Saturday won the Doha Forum 2022 Award. Mahboob is also the CEO of the Digital Citizen Fund.

The award was given to her by Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. This award is given to individuals or organizations who are making positive changes in their societies.

“I am deeply pleased and honored to receive this prestigious award. I’d like to sincerely thank His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AI Thani for his support & generosity from the bottom of my heart. Also I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all the people who make this happen,” Mahboob said on Twitter.

Mahboob won the award as Afghan girls beyond grade six are still waiting for the reopening of their schools. 

On the sidelines of the event, the Afghan Girls Robotic Team showcased their new activities.

Several Afghan and foreign activists, politicians and diplomats congratulated Mahboob, saying that all Afghan girls need access to education to make progress. Jasper Wieck, German special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, tweeted: “Strong signal in times Afghan girls being denied access to education.”

US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, and US special envoy for Afghan girls, women and human rights, Rina Amiri, also applauded Mahboob on her achievement.

“The recognition of your incredible work illuminates the critical importance of educating Afghanistan’s daughters. This is the hope and inspiration for a transformed and self-sufficient Afghanistan,” Amiri tweeted.

The German embassy for Kabul on Twitter congratulated Mahboob and insisted on education for girls in Afghanistan. “When girls don’t receive education the economy suffers and poverty and conflict increase” in Afghanistan, it said.