Co-founder & President of Alefba

I was born in a small village in one of Afghanistan’s provinces. At seven years old, I was a shepherd, spending my days in the mountains with our animals. It was through an old radio of my father that I first learned what “education” meant. At that time in our village, only boys were allowed to attend school, but not girls. My curiosity made me do a little bit of secret schooling and then officially started school with the Red Cross’s intervention and efforts to make possible also for girls .

When I was ten, my family moved to the city. For three years, I still could not go to school due to difficult economic situation. During that time, my mother and I made handicrafts and sold them in local bazaars. With the little income we earned, I bought books and notebooks and continued studying on my own at home. After three years of self-education, we doubled our handicraft work so that I could finally attend school.

Alongside my formal education, I began learning English at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), which opened new doors for me. I later was hired as an English teacher taught English at JRS.  Then together with ten friends, we ran an educational center focused on women’s empowerment.

After finishing school, I enrolled at university to study Journalism and Mass Communication, but i never graduated and the Afghan government collapsed. In 2020, I also became a tour guide—eventually known as the first female tour guide in Afghanistan. My story was featured by several international media outlets, including CNN. I also hosted a weekly radio program called “Winner Woman” in a local radio station, where I collected and shared stories of Afghan women who faced immense barriers yet chose to become changemakers rather than victims of societal expectations.

When the Taliban took over Afghanistan, I was evacuated to Italy. I am currently a student at Bocconi University, studying International Politics and Government. Even from abroad, I could not stay distant from the struggles of Afghan women and girls. In 2022, I began a small educational project for Afghan girls. In 2024, together with Afghan, Italian and Iranian friends, we founded Alefba OdV—a volunteer-led non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Afghan women through education, entrepreneurship, and workshops. We also raise awareness in Italy about the situation of women in Afghanistan through events, collaborations, and school outreach.

I am proud to be one of the founders and the current president of Alefba. Despite today’s many restrictions, the desire of Afghan women to learn, grow, and create change has never died. My hope is to continue building opportunities that keep that hope alive and make the world a better place for everyone to live.