Young Women for Peace Initiative
BETWEEN LANDS AND LIVES: Testimonies of Afghan Women and Men Refugees in Central Asia
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe AUTHORS: Zakia Alizada, Shahnaz Haidary, Fatema Hosseini, Shohista Kayumova and Mavzuna Odinaeva
equality@osce.org www.osce.org/secretariat/gender
September 2025
About the OSCE Gender Issues Programme
The Gender Issues Programme (GIP) in the OSCE Secretariat works towards the implementation of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, as well as relevant Ministerial Council decisions. It supports systematic efforts to mainstream gender equality across the Organization in all its policies, programmes, projects and activities and its three dimensions of comprehensive security, namely the politico-military, economic and environmental, and human.
Under its multi-year, comprehensive project WIN—Women and Men Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality, the GIP is striving to advance gender equality as a prerequisite for achieving and maintaining stable, prosperous and peaceful societies in the OSCE area, in line with the 2004 Action Plan and other OSCE commitments.
This publication was produced under the Young Women 4 Peace Initiative (YW4P), a comprehensive capacity-building programme that is part of the OSCE’s Networking Platform for Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators launched in 2021. The Initiative, which is funded by the European Union, aims to create a dynamic ecosystem where young women leaders can thrive, innovate and lead change.
The information, views, opinions and conclusions presented in this document are not provided nor necessarily endorsed by the OSCE, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
*The interviews contained in this publication have been edited for brevity and understanding, and some names and locations have been changed or omitted for security reasons.
© OSCE 2025 MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM BEHIND THIS PUBLICATION
We, as a team, are very proud to have been able to put together this publication. It contains not only stories of individuals who left Afghanistan but reflects the journeys they had to make to get to safety, receive an education and have opportunities. By shedding light on these individual lives, our main goal is to highlight the positive contributions Afghan refugees make in their host countries in Central Asia, and also their resilience and their agency. These stories not only showcase the challenges faced by Afghan refugees but also the many meaningful ways in which they enrich their host communities.
We also want to thank the women and men who have shared their life stories with us. It takes bravery to talk about one’s personal life, and even more so when one has gone through suffering and trauma. This project would not have been possible without these brave people and we have done our utmost to treat their stories with respect and dignity.
It is worth noting that the early stages of this initiative were fraught with significant challenges. What was initially conceived as a capacity-building programme to cultivate the leadership potential of Afghan refugees through a mental wellness programme, needed to be adapted and reshaped to a storytelling project, owing to a number of political barriers and safety concerns we encountered. What you see before you is the net result of these efforts.
Ultimately, however, we learned that projects like this one have their own value, by giving a voice to Afghan refugees whose stories otherwise would not be known by a broader public. We hope that similar initiatives will be able to come to life and receive greater support, allowing Afghan refugees living in different regions to tell their stories and illustrate the positive impact they are making. They are talented, resilient and passionate people, and true assets to the communities that welcome them. INTRODUCTION Migration from Afghanistan, especially since the language differences also often create barriers Taliban takeover in 2021, has been driven by to integration, making refugees more visible as protracted conflict, political instability, economic ‘outsiders’ and heightening social marginalization. precarity and deeply entrenched gender This publication seeks to shift that narrative. inequalities. For many Afghans, leaving home is Through a human-centred and participatory not a choice but a necessity to seek safety, dignity approach, our project amplifies the voices of and the chance to rebuild their lives. For Afghan Afghan refugees in Central Asia. By documenting women, mobility is both a survival strategy and a their stories, it foregrounds the experiences of pathway to autonomy. Yet, in several mainstream those navigating displacement at the intersection narratives once they have crossed the Afghanistan of gender, migration and social exclusion. Their border, their stories are reduced to mere numbers narratives reveal both structural challenges, such or viewed solely through the prism of vulnerability. as limited access to resources, legal uncertainty and Rarely are they recognized as agents of change, cultural barriers, and the subtle, often overlooked contributing skills, knowledge and resilience to the forms of contribution they make. communities that host them. In the following stories, you will find personal In addition to these challenges, Afghan refugees testimonies that capture both struggle and often face stigma and discrimination due to a strength. They illuminate the gendered realities combination of social, economic and political of displacement while showcasing everyday acts factors. Negative stereotypes and misconceptions of care, creativity and resilience that foster social about Afghan culture, religion or traditions can cohesion, integration and peacebuilding. By lead to prejudice and social exclusion. Competition centring the voices of women, so often overlooked over limited jobs, housing and public services in migration and peace discourses, this project may fuel resentment among local populations, affirms that Afghan refugees are not passive framing refugees as economic burdens. Political recipients of aid but vital actors who shape their narratives and media portrayals that link refugees own futures as well as those of the communities to insecurity, instability or dependency further they join. reinforce discriminatory attitudes. Cultural and
*The following interviews have been edited for brevity and understanding, and some names have been changed for security reasons.
4 HOMAIRA’S JOURNEY—FROM SILENCE IN KABUL TO A VOICE IN THE CLASSROOM
Homaira was in her final year at university in Later, she began teaching in her host country’s Afghanistan when everything changed. The Taliban capital, including classes for government takeover overturned her life in an instant. “Life for employees. “As an Afghan girl, teaching in a place women was completely destroyed,” she says. “All the like that… I was proud,” she says. Her work caught wishes we had, all the dreams… suddenly turned the attention of her British supervisor, who helped upside down.” her land a job at an international school. There, she worked alongside teachers from the US, Nigeria Together with her family, she had secured visas to a Central Asian country months earlier, but once the Taliban had taken over, escape became impossible. “The airport was chaotic. The host country I want Afghan girls to have choices— had closed its borders. Neither through to be able to say: I am a human being, air nor through land could we leave,” she and I decide for myself.” remembers. For nearly three months, they lived in fear and uncertainty. Eventually, Homaira after a difficult journey via Iran and Dubai, they reached their country of destination— with only two days left on their visa. and Great Britain. “I was holding the same position, The hardest part, Homaira says, wasn’t the travel standing at the same level,” she says. “The respect or the uncertainty. “It was burying everything. All I received, especially when I introduced myself as the hopes and the work I had done in Afghanistan. Afghan—it meant everything.” Starting from zero, in a new country, not knowing Recently, amid fear of deportation, Homaira sat for anyone. I didn’t see any opportunity for myself to the IELTS** exam with only one night of preparation. grow.” With no access to university, she turned to At present, she is waiting for her results. Her long- what she could control: language. “The only way term dream is to become a psychologist and out I had was to learn English.” She studied hard, support women. passed the TOEFL* with a score of 100 and began teaching Afghan refugees, preparing them for life Homaira’s story is not just one of escape—it is a abroad. “We helped them understand culture shock, story of rebuilding, of reclaiming power through so they wouldn’t be completely lost when they arrived education, and of choosing hope over fear. in third countries.”
*Test of English as a Foreign Language **International English Language Testing System
5 AN AFGHAN DOCTOR REBUILDS HER LIFE
The story of Dr. Laila, a medical doctor with thirty But it is mainly the fear of deportation that hovers years of experience in Afghanistan, is one that over the family daily, confining both Dr. Laila’s reveals both the harsh realities of displacement husband and children to their home. This uncertainty and the resilience of the human spirit. Confronting prevents them from building stable lives and makes daily the fear of deportation, and having to support living difficult: “It is really hard to have a teenager her children as well as her husband, she serves her kept at home for months,” Dr. Laila says. host country as a psychologist, helping members of both the host and Afghan community cope with trauma and mental health challenges. I hope that boys and girls in Finding purpose through her profession became crucial to her sense of identity and Afghanistan will once again be able healing after having had to flee her home. to go to school together and study.” At first, she volunteered at a women’s Dr. Laila organization and delivered mental health workshops. Later, she connected with an international organization that supports Afghan Looking toward the future, her greatest hope refugees and other groups in vulnerable situations. remains education—both for her children and for all This new partnership opened doors for her, leading Afghan youth. “My highest hopes are for my children to her current role providing psychological support to be educated and, like me, able to serve society. It to refugees and locals alike—work that has become was because of this hope that I left Afghanistan.” her anchor in uncertain times. Dr. Laila’s dedication to service, regardless However, this professional fulfilment is always of nationality, runs like a thread through the mixed with the constant fear of deportation from conversation. “To a doctor,” she concludes, “it is her host country, even though Dr. Laila and her of no importance whether patients are from this family hold the required legal documentation. country or Afghan. When you can serve them and Added to this is the fact that her husband, a highly they can truly benefit from the service, it fulfils you.” qualified civil engineer, cannot practice in his field of work. This is a common situation for refugees who are forced to take on any work, despite often having advanced skills and expertise in areas that could significantly benefit their host community.
6 SORAYA’S VIEW: MINDSET AND VISION
Soraya belongs to Afghanistan’s Hazara ethnic group, a community that has long been the subject of persecution in Afghanistan. She I was able to give something that my host knew the dangers they could face if they stayed in the country, especially as Hazaras: country or the people here could benefit their chances of suffering under the Taliban from, and that makes me extremely happy.” were high. Soraya Soraya’s sister and brother still were of school age and Soraya had to drop them off at school Finding housing was particularly difficult since the and pick them up every day, which made her life even Taliban takeover had resulted in a large refugee flow more difficult. She only wanted a peaceful place to and housing for newcomers had become scarce. live, where her family could be safe and her siblings Soraya’s family faced many hardships in the first could continue their education. months after their arrival. However, they made efforts Finally, two months after the Taliban takeover, the to understand the local language by watching movies family managed to leave Kabul and flee to a country and drama series. Soraya tried to make new friends. in Central Asia, despite the many risks involved and Soraya was always a positive and resilient person. the high costs of visas and tickets for eight family When she left Afghanistan, she felt more secure, members. despite the many challenges she still faced, and When Soraya’s family decided to move, they knew especially as a woman navigating the host country’s almost nothing about their host country. Upon arrival, health services. This motivated her to become more they had to face the challenge of adapting to a new health-conscious, adopting a healthier diet and language and a different culture. They had to find exercising regularly. She believes that success does a place they could call home. They had to apply for not depend on location but on mindset and vision. refugee status to secure their stay. And they had to Despite all the challenges, she is extremely happy to begin another migration process so they could move have moved to her host country. to a third country.
KNOWLEDGE-SHARING AND EDUCATION AS KEY TO SUCCESS Over the past four years, Soraya has served her to improve people’s perspectives and well-being, community using the knowledge and experience encouraging everyone she works with—students, she brought from Afghanistan. She has shown great colleagues and others—to think positively, giving dedication to learning and developing her skills. hope, and helping them feel better. Through the organizations she worked with, especially Her actions, however, are not limited to the people educational-oriented ones, she participated in she meets every day. Soraya shares her values also leadership and educational programmes for Afghan with a broader community, using social media to youth and organized summer camps. raise awareness so Afghans and members of the Soraya has always loved serving her community host community can all benefit. It is a way of giving through education, and she hopes that one day back: as an Afghan, being able to positively impact schools and universities in Afghanistan will reopen people in her host country gives Soraya immense to female students. In the meantime, she strives satisfaction.
7 MEENA, A BEACON OF HOPE
Meena’s story is that of a migrant not of a refugee. However, after graduation Meena felt lost. There She left Afghanistan already before the Taliban were very few opportunities available to her, and takeover. Despite this, she experienced much of her family did not allow her to move to another city the same emotional turmoil and challenges that for further studies because they felt it was unsafe. refugees had to go through. It was very difficult This made her situation even more difficult. For for her to leave Afghanistan and leave behind her some time, she felt stuck and uncertain about her memories, her friends and her life. Not everyone future. chooses to be a migrant willingly, but sometimes life leaves no other option.
When Meena arrived in her host country, she was determined to not give up on her studies. Back in Afghanistan, she had been in 12th grade and was preparing for I am truly hopeful that one day I can the university admission exam. Leaving return to Afghanistan, and that day, the country meant that she could not when I return, be someone who can graduate. Resolved to finish her schooling, do something for her people.” Meena searched for a school where she could take the exams and, after much Meena effort, finally succeeded and graduated from high school.
CONFIDENCE THROUGH ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT Eventually, Meena decided to take charge of At present, Meena is exploring opportunities to her life. She joined English courses organized begin her bachelor studies. Having worked hard to by Afghan immigrants and, over time, regained establish herself in the small Afghan community in her confidence. Meena showed great talent and her host country—an accomplishment that made dedication, and this motivated the coaching centre her exceedingly proud—she wants to be a beacon to offer her a teaching position. Although her of hope for Afghan girls. family initially resisted this move because she was Meena is a positive and resilient young woman. She so young, Meena insisted and began working as a says that she always relies on God and her own volunteer teacher. abilities. She dreams of returning to her homeland She continued teaching and soon grew more one day and completing her bachelor’s degree. comfortable in her role. She applied for a teacher Her journey reflects her dedication, strength and training programme organized by the US Embassy unwavering hope for a brighter future. in the host country and, out of 500 applicants, was selected. She began working as a teaching assistant. Her instructor at the teaching institution greatly influenced her work, inspiring her further.
8 FINDING A VOICE—AHMAD’S JOURNEY AFTER KABUL
Ahmad and his family left Afghanistan for the first he led classes, trained teachers, helped organize time ever in the summer of 2021, two months cultural events, and managed legal guidance before the Taliban takeover. “Even during the civil sessions that supported over 600 Afghan families. wars, we never left our country,” he recalls. “But He remembers receiving free health care at a local every era comes with its own circumstances.” They hospital. “I even had surgery there. Everything was flew directly to their host country, hoping to find either free or came with huge discounts. And I made safety—however, what they found was something sure to tell my community—if I could access this, so much more profound. could they.”
Their early days were lonely. Far from the familiarity of home, Ahmad felt out of place. “I went to the market near our house, and I tried to greet people like we did back I wasn’t just working in the shadows. I home. But no one replied. It was like my voice had disappeared.” That night he had actually made a difference.” told his mother, “Maybe we won’t be able Ahmad to stay here.” Back in Afghanistan, Ahmad had been an active part of his community, working, studying and connecting with others. In In March 2024, Ahmad was invited to a ceremony his current location, the silence was suffocating. hosted by the US Embassy to recognize the efforts “For months, we just walked from one corner of the of people who are active in their community. house to the other. No purpose, no direction.” “Suddenly they called my name. I walked up and realized—I wasn’t just working in the shadows. I had But slowly, things began to change. Ahmad joined actually made a difference.” a local language course to keep himself busy. “That’s when everything shifted. I met people, By the end of 2024, Ahmad had become a legal started learning again and, little by little, found my advisor, helping not only Afghans but also the host place.” Not long after that, he began volunteering community understand their rights and access to as a maths teacher. At first, he was hesitant: “I kept services. thinking, how can I work in a country where I don’t Through hardship and doubt, Ahmad carved out a even know the rules?” new life—not just for himself, but for many others. However, he found support, and soon he wasn’t “Hope means believing that no matter where you just a teacher—he was part of the community. His are, you can still make a difference,” he says. siblings joined, too: his brother became an English teacher, his sister taught drawing. Ahmad was promoted to the management team of the centre that employs him and over the next three years,
9 BETWEEN RESPONSIBILITY AND HOPE
When Dr. Marwa first left Afghanistan, she thought Despite the challenges Dr. Marwa had to face, it was only for a visit. But then the situation at she has spent much time to contribute to both home worsened, and the country she travelled to Afghan and local communities, by teaching English became her and her family’s host country—they to children, assisting patients, and supporting her had no choice but to stay. Being forced into exile own family. For her, the greatest source of pride was painful. Dr. Marwa was a young woman who is the trust and respect she has earned: “It brings loved her homeland deeply. She recalled how me joy that whenever my family faces any problems, difficult it was to leave everything behind—her if they just mention my name, everything becomes studies, her family circle, her culture and, above all, easier for them.” the freedoms she once enjoyed as a girl before the Taliban takeover.
Although travelling with her family gave her strength, adjusting to a new country This is my hope, for peace, stability, brought new burdens. In Afghanistan, goodness and happiness for the she had lived under the protection of her parents and focused solely on her studies. people of Afghanistan.” In exile, she suddenly carried the weight of Dr. Marwa responsibility. “As the eldest of the family, almost like a father or mother of the family, I started life,” she says. Her hopes remain deeply tied to her profession and her homeland. She dreams of one day becoming a The early years were especially difficult. Not knowing surgeon and establishing a cost-free well-equipped the language of her host country, she could not find hospital in Afghanistan: “This has always been my work or continue her medical studies. To make ends dream, since childhood.” meet, she started to work as a cook in a restaurant, an entirely new role for her. This, however, came Relying on her resilience and sense of responsibility, with benefits beyond a steady income: she quickly Dr. Marwa carries both her family through hardship learned the language and thereby gained more as she does her vision of a better future for Afghan confidence. Over time, she found her way back women and for her country. to education, enrolling in university, where she at present studies psychology. She also started working in a hospital as a doctor’s assistant.
10 A LIGHT BEYOND THE WALLS FOR A GIRL STUDENT
At just twenty years old, Leena’s story is one of days, and even opened her home to help them feel determination, resilience and hope. Born and raised safe. “I remembered how my friend supported me in Kabul, she has been living in her host country when I first came, and I told myself if someone else for the last two years. At present, she studies ever needs the same, I will be ready.” economics at the university there. Her journey was anything but simple. Unlike male students who could travel directly from Kabul, she was required to first obtain a visa through a third country. “I had to travel with my father so the Taliban would allow it,” she recalls— Your story is never truly over, as long women in Afghanistan are forbidden from as hope still lives within your smile.” travelling without a male guardian. Leena After the Taliban takeover, her world collapsed and shrunk into the four walls of her home. Football with friends, school lessons, even She has also found ways to engage with the the simple joy of walking in the park—all disappeared host community. From learning the language to overnight. “When you cannot study, cannot have communicating with taxi drivers and landlords, to entertainment, what is the point of going out? The attending workshops and building friendships, she only thing to see outside was an empty street.” For sees herself as part of the host country’s social fabric. her, the chance to leave Afghanistan was not just “It makes me happy when people understand me about her studies, it was about reclaiming her right even in broken language. It shows that kindness can to live. go beyond words,” she says. Her experience has not Her journey was exhausting, full of obstacles that only strengthened her own skills but also given her constantly reminded her of how different life is for the tools to connect across cultures and contribute Afghan girls. She recalls travelling across borders meaningfully where she lives. under strict conditions, waiting weeks for approvals, Looking ahead, her hopes remain rooted in and enduring the fear of judgment if she failed. “The Afghanistan. “For my homeland, I wish for the chain of traditions has always been like shackles on healing of its wounds,” she says softly. “People are in the hands and feet of girls,” she says. “You have to pain, and without healing, they cannot truly connect prove yourself again and again, just to be allowed with one another. Emotional healing could be the to dream.” first step toward the country itself being healed.” In her host country, she faced new challenges, At the same time, her personal outlook is guided by including language barriers, lack of institutional resilience and optimism. “Hope is the only reason to support and financial hardship. Yet, she learned to stay alive in this world. Life will keep going, whether turn these struggles into ways of contributing to the we face tragedy or laughter.” community. When new Afghan students arrived, she welcomed them, guided them through their first
11 VOICES OF CHANGE: HOW AN AFGHAN REFUGEE EMPOWERS WOMEN
Sara has lived in her host country for a decade, carrying to Afghans and locals alike. “We trained around with her both the wounds of displacement and the sixty Afghan women in tailoring. Every day, when I strength to transform them into service for others. saw their faces so eager, so determined, it gave me strength. Their smiles gave me peace.” For her, these projects were more than skills training; they were acts of liberation. She watched Afghan women find confidence, I want to stand for women’s freedom step outside their homes, and begin to and speak on behalf of those who imagine new futures for themselves and cannot yet raise their own voices. We their families. “I felt proud because I realized women are capable of anything; we that we women are capable of anything, that possess incredible power.” we possess incredible power.” Her own skills grew alongside her community Sara work. From learning cosmetology to managing skill-training programmes for women, she has built a career that serves As for so many, her journey began with fear. Leaving both Afghans and the local community, weaving Afghanistan with her family meant stepping into the her contributions into the fabric of the country’s unknown, bearing the weight of insecurity, uncertainty community. “My goal is always to be useful, for and judgment. “On the path of migration, you don’t Afghan girls and youth, but also for the people of know what lies at the end. It is deeply painful,” she this country where I live. If I can create opportunities, says, adding solemnly: “But still, I endured.” whether technical or educational, I know I have done Arriving in a new country brought many challenges— something meaningful.” not only language barriers and economic struggles but also the constant feeling of being treated as an Looking back, she sees strength in the hardships outsider. Yet, Sara refused to let these obstacles she endured. “The challenges made me who I am. silence her. “I told myself I had to build my own path.” They taught me to believe in myself and to serve Over time, she adapted to her situation and even my people.” Looking forward, her vision is simple began treading a new path: creating opportunities yet powerful: an Afghanistan at peace, and a world for others. After learning the local language, she where women can speak their truths freely. “One volunteered as an English teacher and, later, joined a day, I hope we can say with pride, with honour: we non-profit organization. There, she turned her vision are Afghan. And I hope for women everywhere to live into reality: a project designed specifically for Afghan with freedom, to bravely say the words that have long women who had spent years confined at home. With been locked in their hearts.” courage and persistence, she led training courses in tailoring and English, all free of charge and open
12 A MOTHER’S PATH TO PEACE
“I endured everything for the sake of my children.” “When Afghan women needed courses, I pushed for After this introduction, Farah, an Afghan mother of local-language lessons alongside sewing training. four, begins to share her journey. Married young, I wanted them to learn, to have skills, to find she carried the responsibilities of adulthood long confidence.” Many women went on to complete before her age. When insecurity and fear made life in these courses and earn certificates, opening paths Afghanistan unbearable, she made the most difficult toward income and independence. decision of her life: to leave her country and begin again.
The road out of Afghanistan was heavy with uncertainty. Every border crossing felt like “I welcomed everyone in my a trial, each delay like a threat. “I carried community, neighbors and fellow all the fear inside me so my children would refugees alike, who came seeking not have to. Every border, every moment of doubt, I held it alone. I told myself, if I reach help.” safety, they will have a life I never had.” Farah Once arrived in her host country, life continued to be difficult but it was freer. For her, these acts of service were as important as For a time, Farah worked in a restaurant until illness her own survival. “I have always tried to be positive— forced her to stop. Then, her teenage sons began for myself, for the community and for my friends. working to support the family. Yet, she never allowed When I see women learning, when I see that their her ordeals to shake her determination. “I went voices will be heard, it makes me happy. It gives me through so many hardships for the sake of my four peace.” children. Today, when I see them standing differently from others, I feel proud. All my pain was not wasted.” Her hopes remain simple but profound. “Afghans have lived only through war; they have never seen true Her contributions extend beyond her own happiness. My dream is peace, a home, a country, household. Drawing on her nursing background and where children can grow up without fear. And for her strong connections with Afghan families, she myself, I only hope for a peaceful home, where I can became a guide for others. She helped new migrants raise my children with dignity.” register legally, explained how to access services, and advocated for Afghan women to receive language and vocational training.
13 RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF DAILY STRUGGLES: MARIAM’S STORY
Mariam is a young Afghan woman whose life has been marked by loss and the search for safety, but also by remarkable I’m sure, in the future, we will have the resilience. Married in early 2022, she expected to begin a new life chapter with chance to go back to Afghanistan. I’m her family in Afghanistan. However, only really hopeful that the situation there months later—after the Taliban takeover— won’t last a long time.” she was forced to leave her loved ones behind. Raised in a traditional household Mariam where she had never spent a single night away from her mother, leaving both her These small steps gave her a sense of purpose at a parents and her husband felt like being torn away time when she needed it most. from the foundation of her life. However, tragedy struck again in 2023, when The feeling of isolation also marked Mariam’s first Mariam’s mother suffered a severe neurological months in her host country. Without a community episode after living through months of fear and or knowing the country’s language, she struggled stress in Afghanistan. Mariam returned home and to adjust. Illness struck during her first winter, and spent two months by her mother’s side, feeding without access to proper care, Mariam lost her her, holding her hands and trying to bring comfort. baby. The experience plunged her into depression, Leaving again for her own safety was one of the leaving her feeling powerless in a foreign land. Yet hardest decisions Mariam ever had to make. In slowly, she began to rebuild her life: she learned the January 2025, her mother passed away. Being far language, made connections, and volunteered to from home when she died left Mariam with grief teach English to Afghan students in online courses. and guilt that she continues to carry with her.
OVERCOMING LOSS WHILE SLOWLY BUILDING A LIFE While weathering all these hardships, Mariam also experience can be painful for Mariam but also experienced moments of pride. At the university in brings her fulfillment: “At least I can do little things her host country she had enrolled in, her team won for them,” she says. third place in a competition, an achievement that unexpectedly led to her first job at a flour company Mariam’s journey is one of profound loss—of her trading wheat to Afghanistan. She started to earn baby, her mother and her country. But it is also a her own income, which allowed her to send money story of transformation. Abroad, Mariam gained home for her mother’s treatment, supporting her independence, strength and the belief that maturity even from afar. is not tied to age, but to the storms one survives.
Later, her life path led her to work for an international Mariam dreams of pursuing a master’s degree and organization, for which she serves until this day. continuing to give back, both to her host country, Each day, she meets Afghan families struggling which she now calls a second home, and—one with displacement and uncertainty, listening to day—to Afghanistan, when women like her are able their stories and helping them find solutions. This to return and rebuild.
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