Her Voice, Her Fight
On a snowy day in 2024, I was invited to attend a week-long seminar at Mora University. The cold weather mirrored my inner mix of anxiety and excitement. It was my first day, and unfortunately, it did not go as planned. I arrived late, and when I entered the hall, every seat was already taken. For a moment, I felt lost and embarrassed, unsure of where to sit or what to do.
In that moment of discomfort, a quiet voice changed everything. A girl looked at me, smiled warmly, and said, “Ma’am, sit next to me.”
Her simple act of kindness surprised me. In a room full of strangers, she made me feel seen and welcome. That small gesture created a connection I never expected, one that would leave a lasting impression. I became curious about her and wanted to know more about the person behind that kindness.
Later, over lunch, we sat together and began talking about our lives. She shared her story with honesty and courage. She was about 25 years old, originally from Bamyan, with a cheerful and humorous personality despite the hardships she had endured. Like me, she was one of only 50 women selected from a large pool of applicants to participate in the program. While being selected was an achievement, staying in the program was a daily struggle.
She spoke about the challenges of being a single woman in a society where women are constantly judged by their marital status. She told me how she saved money just to buy internet packages so she could attend online meetings and complete her assignments. At times, she had to choose between basic necessities and her education. For eight months, survival and perseverance went hand in hand.
One of the most painful parts of her story was her separation from her fiancé. Because her dreams and ideas did not align with his family’s expectations, she was forced to walk away. The decision was heartbreaking, but she believed sacrificing comfort was necessary to protect her future. She also described how she withdrew from gossip, judgment, and harsh words from people who could not understand her choices. Every day, she carried the weight of society’s expectations while quietly fighting for her dreams.
What amazed me most was her determination. Despite everything, she did not stop learning, or teaching. She shared how she used the knowledge she gained to educate 40 girls in her community. She believed education should never benefit only one person. Even when opportunities were limited, she made sure more girls could read, write, and dream. She became a source of hope for others, even while struggling herself.
Her ultimate goal was to earn a scholarship so she could continue her education and return to teach even more girls. She did not see education as a personal achievement, but as a responsibility. Listening to her, I realized how powerful a determined woman can be, even when society tries to silence her.
Our farewell day was filled with emotion. She did not seem ready to leave, but she had no choice. We hugged each other, knowing our paths might not cross again anytime soon. That moment made me reflect deeply on what it means to be a girl in our society. I realized how difficult it is not only to dream, but to turn those dreams into reality. Achieving goals requires strength, patience, sacrifice, and often pain.
In many countries, basic rights are unquestioned and ordinary. For us, they are dreams we are still fighting for. Sometimes we feel alive, but we are not truly living. We exist in a world where hope requires courage and education becomes a form of resistance.
I still think of her often. I hope that one day we meet again, and instead of hearing about her struggles, I will hear about her joys, achievements, and triumphs. She reminded me that even on the coldest days, kindness, determination, and hope can survive, and that alone is powerful.
Photo from: https://pin.it/5OAGySFCo
This article is part of the HerVoice initiative, published by NSHSS in partnership with EmpowerHer, an NSHSS student partner organization. EmpowerHer supports Afghan girls and women through mentorship and storytelling opportunities that help them find their voice and create change in their communities and beyond. Learn more on the EmpowerHer partner page.