Published Stories
Featured Writings from Our Partners
Afghan girls and women sharing their stories, experiences, and perspectives with the world through our network of publication partners.
“A Bridge Between Two Worlds”
In “A Bridge Between Two Worlds” by Zahra A, an EmpowerHer student, she drifts between dream and reality, imagining a peaceful world where mothers sing lullabies, fathers laugh with their children, and stories replace war. Waking to the harshness of her own reality, she finds strength not in escape but in resolve—to write, to speak, and to build a bridge from dreams to a future where Afghan children can smile again.
Read more“In another time, I was…”
In “In Another Time, I Was…” by Suhaila N, an EmpowerHer student, she imagines being transported from present-day Afghanistan into the ancient Kushan Empire, where women were artists, writers, and advisors. Through this journey, she reflects on the courage of Afghan girls today, who resist injustice with pens instead of swords. Blending history, imagination, and present struggles, her story honors the enduring strength of Afghan women and reminds us that their voices must never be forgotten.
Read more“If the Taliban Had Never Existed”
In “If the Taliban Had Never Existed” by Sakhydadi, an EmpowerHer student, she imagines an Afghanistan free of fear, where girls like Samira can study, dream, and build futures without restriction. Through her hopeful narrative, Samira contrasts the freedom of this imagined world with the painful reality of generations denied education and dignity under Taliban rule. The piece is both a vision of what could have been and a call to keep alive the dream of a peaceful, inclusive Afghanistan where no voice is silenced and no dream forbidden.
Read more“The Girl from Kabul: A Story of Words and Wounds”
In this powerful story, Sadaf A, an EmpowerHer student, portrays the journey of Sahar, a young Afghan girl whose dreams of becoming a writer are shattered when a tragedy in Kabul takes her entire family. Struggling through grief, exile, and silence, Sahar finds healing in words. Her writing becomes a voice for thousands of Afghan girls and families silenced by war. The Girl from Kabul is a testament to how storytelling can transform suffering into strength and loss into a legacy that moves the world.
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“What I Carried in My Voice”
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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