Ladan, 27

Before the return of the Taliban, I graduated from university with a degree in Pharmacy. Currently, I am studying English online through the Voices Unveiled program. I have a deep interest in painting, teaching, and spending time in nature. My hobbies include reading books, playing with children, and dancing. I have set three long-term goals for myself: 1. To find a safe place to live with dignity and peace (by 2026–2027). 2.

To continue my education in business and administration (in 2028). 3. To start a business with my husband, one that helps us become self-reliant and creates job opportunities for girls and women (by 2029–2030). These are only my long-term goals—I also have short- and medium-term goals—but for now, I wanted to highlight the future I envision and when I hope to begin each step. My journey has not been easy. During my academic life, my family did not support or encourage me.

They believed that reading and writing was enough for girls and that higher education was unnecessary. But thank God, despite all the obstacles, I convinced them to let me continue. Even then, I was unable to choose a field that truly interested me. I also lost many valuable opportunities, such as a scholarship from the American University of Afghanistan and the chance to pursue further English studies. Financial difficulties were another major challenge.

I had to work while studying to cover my educational expenses. Now, I face a new set of challenges. There is no safe place for my family in Afghanistan. I am raising two young daughters alone while my husband lives far away, trying to find a path toward a more secure and dignified life for all of us. Still, I hold onto hope. I believe I deserve a better life—and I will work to achieve it. I am deeply grateful for the Voices Unveiled class.

It has transformed not only my inner world but also brought real changes to my life. This class led me from darkness to light. I had lost myself—I felt afraid, self-loathing, and disconnected from everything. But through this class, I learned that these emotions, though painful, are a natural part of life. Instead of avoiding them, we must accept them with open hearts and learn how to release them in healthy ways. I want to participate in this class again and again.

It teaches you how to understand yourself and your emotions—something that is missing in the lives of many Afghan women and girls. We suffer not just from hardship, but from a lack of emotional support and guidance. There is no system in place to help us understand our inner world. We live in constant uncertainty. But I still have hope that change will come—to me, and to others like me.