Sayara Rahmani
Sayara Rahmani is an Afghan refugee, journalist, and advocate for migrant rights in France. Forced into exile due to her work with the BBC in Afghanistan, she has since dedicated her life to empowering refugees—particularly women—through professional integration, education, and psychological support. Recently elected to the French Migrants’ Parliament with the highest number of votes, Rahmani represents the struggles and aspirations of displaced communities. This essay explores her journey, achievements, and vision for a more inclusive France.
Early Life and Exile of Sayara Rahmani
Born in Afghanistan, Rahmani worked as a journalist for the BBC, upholding principles of free expression—a commitment that ultimately forced her to flee her homeland. In 2016, she sought refuge in France, where she obtained asylum status. Determined to rebuild her life, she learned French at the University of Orléans and soon transitioned into community work, leveraging her multilingual skills as an interpreter for the ACM association.
Advocacy and Community Leadership
Recognizing systemic barriers faced by refugees, Rahmani co-founded an association in 2023 led by and for exiles, focusing on professional integration. The project gained recognition after winning two awards in the SINGA incubator:
First Public Prize
By January 2025, she became General Secretary of Abajad Global, an organization dedicated to helping displaced talents thrive in France.
Political Representation and Electoral Success
In July 2025, Rahmani was elected to the French Migrants’ Parliament with the highest vote count—a testament to her grassroots influence. On Facebook, she expressed gratitude to supporters, affirming her commitment to:
Advocating for migrant rights.
Collaborating with the French government to improve living conditions for displaced communities.
Key Priorities and Vision
Rahmani’s work centers on three core objectives:
- Professional Integration of Refugee Women
- She champions tailored vocational training and advocacy to combat systemic exclusion, emphasizing autonomy for exiled women.
- Mental Health Support
- Many refugee women endure trauma and isolation. Rahmani pushes for culturally sensitive psychological care to aid their recovery.
Literacy and Digital Inclusion
Her proposed programs address educational gaps, particularly for out-of-school refugees, ensuring access to language courses (FLE/FOS) and digital literacy.
Additionally, she fights for:
- Right to Work for Asylum Seekers: Opposing policies that force skilled migrants into inactivity.
- Early Access to French Classes: Offering language training upon arrival, even during asylum procedures.
- Personal Perspective: A Mother’s Advocacy
- As a mother of three, Rahmani highlights unique challenges faced by exiled women:
- Language barriers.
- Lack of childcare.
- The digital divide.
Her lived experience fuels her policy-driven approach to inclusion.
Sayara Rahmani embodies resilience and leadership in migrant advocacy. From journalist to elected representative, she amplifies the voices of refugees—especially women—through systemic change. Her election to the French Migrants’ Parliament marks a pivotal step toward equitable integration, proving that exiled talents can reshape their adopted societies. France, and the world, must heed her call: dignity for all begins with opportunity.
