Featured Writings from Our 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Silence in Herat and Kabul: A Story of Change, Fear, and Hope”

A powerful reflection on the realities faced by Afghan women and girls under increasing restrictions. Through a personal lens, this piece captures the fear, silence, and uncertainty experienced in Kabul and Herat while highlighting the resilience, courage, and enduring hope of those who continue to dream despite oppression.

“Women, Life, Freedom: The Fight for Human Rights Under Taliban Rule”

This article documents the Taliban's escalating restrictions on women in Herat through firsthand accounts from EmpowerHer students, reports of protests and violence, and the lived experiences of Afghan women facing fear, uncertainty, and repression. It highlights the resilience of Afghan women while calling for sustained international support, advocacy, and access to education and opportunity.

“Her Voice, Her Fight”

In “Her Voice, Her Fight,” by Halima Nazir, an EmpowerHer student, the writer reflects on a powerful encounter with a young Afghan woman whose quiet kindness revealed a story of sacrifice, resilience, and purpose. Through this personal narrative, Halima shows how education becomes an act of resistance, and how determined women continue to uplift others even while facing judgment, loss, and hardship.

“Waiting for the Rainbow Behind the Dark Clouds”