Prominent Afghan women’s rights activist Kufi Galaxy has secured a seat on the Foreign Residents’ Council (Ausländerbeirat) in the city of Göttingen, located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
The milestone marks a historic first for the diaspora, as Galaxy becomes the first woman of Afghan origin to contest an election and win a seat on the municipal council since its establishment. The Foreign Residents’ Council serves as a directly elected advisory body representing international residents, asylum seekers, and non-German citizens in local municipal governance, advising the city administration on integration policies, civil rights, and anti-discrimination initiatives.
Galaxy’s election to the local council highlights the rising political participation and civic advocacy of Afghan women in exile across Western Europe following the collapse of the Afghan republic in August 2021. Since relocating to Germany, Galaxy has remained an outspoken advocate for women’s access to education, human rights protections, and structural support for displaced populations.
Civic leaders and diaspora organizations welcomed the election result, emphasizing that the political inclusion of Afghan women in European municipal bodies provides a vital platform to champion refugee integration while keeping the plight of Afghan women and girls visible on international agendas.