By Hammad Kahlun
Scandinavian News Agency
Afghan women charities have raised millions of dollars since 2021, but critics say little measurable progress has followed, according to a review by SNN News Finland.
The review covers more than 90 organisations, including Malala Fund, registered in the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
It suggests that a large share of donations went to a few organisations run by their founders. These are the review’s findings. They have not been independently verified, and none of the organisations named had responded at the time of writing.
What the Afghan Women Charities Review Found
According to the review, funding appears to have risen after headlines about evacuations from Afghanistan, rather than after proof of results. “Appears” is the review’s own cautious wording.
The notes do not explain how results were measured, which years were covered, or what counts as a “large share.”
Critics argue that little has been achieved for Afghanistan and that money has not been spent effectively on educating Afghan girls. The critics are not named, so their view is an argument and not a finding.
The material gives no figures for Malala Fund. It also reports no specific claim of misconduct against it or any other named group.
SOLA and Women for Afghan Women: The Figures
SOLA raised about $63 million between 2021 and June 2025 and now holds $46.95 million in net assets, the review says. Net assets means what an organisation owns minus what it owes. That is an accounting measure, and it does not by itself show how much was spent on programmes.
Women for Afghan Women saw revenue rise to $20.95 million in 2021, then fall to $8.19 million, according to the review. It also reportedly recorded financial losses for three years in a row.
The years of the decline and the size of each loss were not given. Income often falls when emergency giving fades, so a drop does not by itself show poor management.
Accountability Questions for Afghan Women Charities
SNN News Finland asks how the finances and performance of groups raising millions in the name of Afghan women and girls are monitored.
The review reports no answer. Registered charities usually publish annual reports or tax filings, which readers can check, but the review does not say which documents it used.
Comparisons are also emerging between Malala Yousafzai and Shabana Basij-Rasikh, founder of SOLA, on fundraising and financial transparency. The material does not say who is making them or on what basis, so they should be read as talk, not findings.
Key Facts
- An SNN News Finland review covers more than 90 organisations raising money for Afghan women and girls
- It says a large share of donations went to a few founder-run groups
- SOLA raised about $63 million from 2021 to June 2025 and holds $46.95 million in net assets
- Women for Afghan Women’s revenue fell from $20.95 million in 2021 to $8.19 million, with reported losses for three years
- The findings are unverified, and no organisation’s response was included
- Afghan Women
FAQs:
What does the review cover?
More than 90 organisations, including Malala Fund, registered in the US, UK, France and Germany.
What does it say about donations?
That a large share is concentrated in a few founder-run groups and that funding rose after evacuation headlines.
What are the SOLA figures?
About $63 million raised from 2021 to June 2025 and $46.95 million in net assets.
Does the review allege misconduct?
The material reports no specific claim of misconduct against a named organisation.
Have the organisations responded?
No response was included.
The Charities’ Side and Wider Context
Defenders of such groups usually argue that need in Afghanistan is real and that results are hard to measure in a country where girls’ schooling beyond primary level has been restricted under the Taliban since 2021. That is general background and debate, not a statement from any organisation in this review.
A fair account needs responses from SOLA, Women for Afghan Women and Malala Fund, and none is included. Readers should look for the organisations’ filings and statements, and for the review’s full method. This story will be updated when verified details emerge.
Read more about Afghan Women, humanitarian aid initiatives, and the challenges charities face in delivering funding and support to women in Afghanistan.
About The Author
