Published Stories
Afghan girls and women sharing their stories, experiences, and perspectives with the world through our network of publication partners.

In “What I Carried in My Voice,” by Nazifa Popal, Third Place Winner of the HerVoice 2026 Writing Contest, the writer reflects on a moment when language, experience, and quiet determination became tools of courage in the face of intimidation. Drawing on her work supporting women and communities in Afghanistan, the piece explores how strength is built through years of service, resilience, and perseverance rather than a single act of bravery. Through a powerful personal narrative, Nazifa honors the unseen forms of leadership that allow Afghan women to protect, uplift, and advocate for others even in the most challenging circumstances.
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In “The Bird Who Learned to Sing Without Sound” by Nazanin R, an EmpowerHer student, the writer uses allegory to explore silence, repression, and quiet resistance. Through the story of a bird that learns to express itself without sound, the piece reflects how muted voices can still create impact, showing that even restrained expression can carry meaning, influence others, and become a form of survival and defiance.
Read moreIn “A Girl Made of Hope” by S.R., an EmpowerHer student, the writer tells the true story of Leila, an Afghan woman forced to flee her home to escape an imposed marriage and growing repression. Through quiet, powerful narration, the piece explores consent, displacement, and survival, showing how hope can exist not as safety or certainty, but as the courage to keep moving forward when everything familiar becomes a threat.
In “When Did I Feel That I Am a Strong Girl?” by Roqia Qasemi, Second Place Winner of the HerVoice 2026 Writing Contest, the writer reflects on the moments that shaped her understanding of strength as an Afghan girl living through violence, loss, and educational restrictions. Through powerful personal memories and unwavering determination, the piece explores how courage is forged in the face of injustice and how the pursuit of education becomes an act of resistance. Roqia’s story stands as a moving tribute to the resilience of Afghan girls who continue to rise, dream, and fight for their future despite immense obstacles.