Terms
These Terms and Policies describe the terms and conditions for participating in EmpowerHer programs, workshops, publications, scholarships, events, and initiatives.
Last updated: June 28, 2026
EmpowerHer is committed to creating educational, mentorship, leadership, and publication opportunities for Afghan women and girls in the safest and most efficient ways possible. By participating in any EmpowerHer program, workshop, publication platform, scholarship program, event, or initiative, participants agree to comply with the following terms and policies.
All EmpowerHer participants, including students, mentors, lecturers, volunteers, staff members, and contributors, are expected to:
- Treat all members of the EmpowerHer community with respect, dignity, and kindness.
- Maintain a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment.
- Refrain from harassment, discrimination, or harmful conduct.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of other participants.
- Communicate respectfully during workshops, meetings, online discussions, and other EmpowerHer activities and programs.
- Uphold EmpowerHer's mission of empowering Afghan women and girls through education, leadership, storytelling, and advocacy.
EmpowerHer maintains a zero-tolerance policy for violations of these guidelines. Participants who violate these policies may be removed from programs, workshops, or other EmpowerHer opportunities.
Mentorship Program Policies
Attendance
- Students are expected to attend all workshop sessions.
- Students may miss only one workshop session during a workshop round (exclusively a Sunday session).
- Missing more than one session may result in disqualification from receiving a certificate of completion.
- Students should notify their mentors or workshop assistants in advance if they are unable to attend a session. Reasonable exceptions may be granted for extenuating circumstances.
Assignments
- All assignments must be completed and submitted before the stated deadlines.
- Students who fail to submit more than two assignments may be disqualified from receiving a certificate of completion.
- Assignments are evaluated as Complete or Incomplete.
- EmpowerHer maintains a strict no-AI policy across all Mentorship Program workshops and initiatives. The use of AI tools for assignments or activities is prohibited.
Conduct
- Students must follow all workshop-specific expectations established by mentors.
- Mentors reserve the right to remove students who repeatedly violate EmpowerHer policies or disrupt the learning environment.
- Academic honesty is expected in all submitted work.
- Students must treat fellow students and EmpowerHer staff with respect at all times, including during discussions and disagreements.
HerVoice Publication Policies
Eligibility
- Contributors must be active participants in EmpowerHer programs, particularly the Creative Writing and Storytelling Workshop.
- All submissions must align with EmpowerHer's mission and values.
Content Guidelines
- Writers must carefully revise and edit their work before submission.
- First drafts and unfinished pieces may be rejected.
- Submissions should focus on a single topic, prompt, or theme.
- Writing should reflect personal experiences, perspectives, creativity, or issues connected to EmpowerHer's mission.
- Language should be respectful, appropriate, and free from harmful content.
Images
- Every submission must include a photo, artwork, or illustration.
- AI-generated images are not permitted.
- If an image is obtained from another source, proper credit and the original link must be provided.
Word Limits
- Essays, articles, stories, and fiction pieces: Maximum 1,000 words.
- Poems: Maximum 40 lines.
Originality and AI Policy
- The use of generative artificial intelligence tools (including ChatGPT and similar platforms) for writing submissions is prohibited.
- All submitted work must be the author's original work.
- Submissions suspected of substantial AI generation may be rejected.
Author Biography
- Writers must include a short biography of no more than 150 words.
- Providing social media links is optional.
Editorial Rights
- EmpowerHer reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar, formatting, clarity, and publication standards.
- Submission does not guarantee publication.
- EmpowerHer reserves the right to decline submissions that do not meet publication standards or align with its mission.
- Copyright in the Work remains vested in the Author, who is responsible for ensuring that the Work does not infringe upon the rights of any third party.
Monthly Internet Scholarship Policies
Eligibility
- Applicants must be active participants in EmpowerHer programs.
- Applicants must demonstrate consistent participation and engagement.
- Priority may be given to students who demonstrate financial need through their MIS application, as well as strong attendance, assignment completion, and active involvement within the EmpowerHer community throughout their workshop cycle.
Expectations
- Scholarship recipients are expected to use the support primarily for educational purposes.
- Recipients should maintain active participation in EmpowerHer programs.
- Students must communicate honestly regarding their educational and financial needs.
- Receiving a scholarship does not guarantee future funding.
Modifications
- EmpowerHer reserves the right to modify these terms, policies, and program requirements at any time. Updated policies will be posted on official EmpowerHer platforms.
- Continued participation in EmpowerHer programs constitutes acceptance of these policies.
Legal Protections and Compliance
- EmpowerHer is not liable for any direct or indirect loss, harm, or damages arising from participation in its programs, workshops, publications, or use of its platforms.
- Participants agree to indemnify and hold EmpowerHer harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from submitted work or participation, including but not limited to copyright infringement or violations of third-party rights.
- By submitting work for publication, participants grant EmpowerHer a non-exclusive, royalty-free, and perpetual license to publish, reproduce, and distribute the submitted content across its platforms.
- EmpowerHer implements reasonable safeguards to protect participant data and retains information only as long as necessary for program administration and reporting purposes.
- Violations of EmpowerHer policies, including academic misconduct, use of prohibited AI tools, or disruptive behavior, may result in disqualification, removal from programs, or revocation of certificates or benefits.
- Organizations may verify the validity of certificates issued to EmpowerHer staff, volunteers, and students by contacting info@empowerher-initiative.org.
If you have questions about these Terms and Policies, contact us at:
EmpowerHer Initiative
Email: info@empowerher-initiative.org
