Sahar Mahmood is the Founder and Director of the Society of Afghan Women Engineers (SAWE), a platform dedicated to supporting, connecting, and empowering Afghan women in engineering and STEM fields. Through SAWE, she works to strengthen professional networks, mentorship opportunities, and capacity-building initiatives for young women across Afghanistan.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Design from Kabul Polytechnic University. During her academic years, she actively participated in leadership and mentoring programs and graduated with distinction. She gained early professional experience through internships at the Ministry of Urban Development and Land and Kabul Municipality, contributing to urban planning and redevelopment initiatives.

Sahar has worked with national and international organizations in various roles, including Project Coordinator, Community Liaison Officer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Communications Officer. Her experience spans development programming, digital systems support, community engagement, and multi-stakeholder coordination. She has contributed to UN-supported initiatives, focusing on education access, community resilience, and inclusive development.

In addition to her technical and project experience, Sahar is passionate about storytelling, photography, and digital engagement as tools for social impact. She believes in ethical communication and the importance of amplifying community voices responsibly.

Through her leadership at SAWE, Sahar continues to advocate for greater participation of Afghan women in engineering and leadership spaces, working toward long-term, sustainable opportunities for women and youth in Afghanistan.