Khatera Yekta

Khatera Yekta is a PhD researcher at the University of Southampton, in the Department of Politics and International Relations, with a research focus on the intersection of gender and state-building in post-conflict contexts, particularly in Afghanistan. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in International Relations. Before pursuing her doctoral studies, she served as the Head of the Faculty of Political Science at Siraj Institute of Higher Education, and taught at Khatam Al Nabieen University, Karwan University, and Siraj Institute. She has also been an active member of research committees within Afghan academic institutions, contributing to policy development, women's political participation, and institutional reform.

Alongside her academic work, Mrs. Yekta is a women’s rights advocate and a trustee of the Qatrah Foundation, where she is deeply committed to strengthening the political, social, and economic participation of Afghan women. Her academic research, which critically examines power structures, gender norms, and unequal policies in processes of state-building, informs and enhances her practical engagement with the Foundation’s mission.

For Mrs. Yekta, the Qatrah Foundation is not merely a charity, it is a platform for realizing gender justice in action: a space for supporting and empowering women and children in one of the most challenging socio-political and cultural environments in the world. The Foundation focuses on creating employment opportunities for women, providing educational resources for children in deprived areas, and implementing awareness and capacity-building initiatives. Through its multi-level approach, Qatrah aims to restore hope, dignity, and agency among women and children affected by war and systemic deprivation.

Mrs. Yekta firmly believes that sustainable social transformation is only possible when women’s voices are heard in decision-making processes and patriarchal structures are fundamentally challenged.