I am Madina Afshar from Kabul, Afghanistan. I graduated from school in 2021, a year marked by the Taliban's takeover of my country. Throughout high school, I actively volunteered in various cultural committees, aiming to raise awareness among my fellow students. I have a profound interest in computer science and my passion for technology led me to complete an ICT program at the Womanity Foundation (WF). In 2020, I also participated in a coding camp called "Coding w/o Borders'' organized by SOWCoders. This camp equipped me with the necessary skills to develop a website focused on promoting tourism in Afghanistan. You can find the link to my webpage down below:
[https://madina-123.github.io/Back-to-af-Tourism/]
Despite the bleakness and uncertainty that followed the Taliban's rise to power, I persevered in my educational pursuits. I dedicated nearly two years to preparing for the Kankor exam, the university entrance exam, at an educational center in Kabul. Following the Taliban's arrival, many girls lost hope in pursuing their education, but I remained steadfast in advocating for the rights of girls like myself. I spoke out about these issues on local television, amplifying the voices of girls across the country. I also assumed the role of a leader among my classmates, encouraging them not to lose hope and to continue striving for academic excellence. In parallel, I actively participated in seminars organized by one of our teachers, focusing on enhancing my self-esteem and entrepreneurship skills.
The links to my interview on local television:
Despite the challenges posed by the Taliban regime and their recent restrictions on girls' education, I remained undeterred. I relentlessly pursued my studies and skills development even while confined at home. I eventually succeeded in gaining admission to the Computer Science faculty at Kabul University, scoring 342 out of 360 on the entrance exam. Notably, many of the girls I mentored also secured places in their desired faculties. However, the Taliban's new orders restricted girls from pursuing higher education. Nevertheless, I refused to surrender to despair. I continued my studies independently and ultimately gained acceptance to the American University of Afghanistan. Although I have been confined at home for over nine months, preventing me from physically attending classes or employment, I have adapted by studying online for my undergraduate degree.
The challenges of being confined at home have significantly impacted girls like me, with ambitious dreams, and at times, it led me to experience moments of depression. To counter this, I established a small business by creating an online gift shop on Instagram. Through this endeavor, I can share my crafted creations and bring joy to people's lives through my design talents. Additionally, I extended assistance to some of my classmates in their applications to the American University of Afghanistan, and thankfully, they were accepted for the fall semester. It brings me happiness to know that I can contribute not only to my development but also to the accomplishments of others. You can find the link to my page here:
The first thing that caught my attention in coding was participating in the SOWCoders camp. I learned about the camp from my teacher at the Womanity Foundation (WF), and I wasn't sure what we would be studying there or what coding even meant. When I attended the sessions, I discovered how to use HTML and CSS to design a webpage. The most thrilling part for me was working on my final coding project, as it allowed me to showcase the beauty of my country to people from different nations. It was during this experience that I realized coding and working with technology was the career path I was meant for. After the camp concluded, I explored the various fields and opportunities available in computer science and realized that it aligned perfectly with my interests and talents. Additionally, it wasn't just my personal perception; one of my teachers affirmed that both hemispheres of my brain were equally engaged in computer science, making it an ideal fit for me. This marked the beginning of my journey in computer science. Currently, I am pursuing a major in Computer Science at the American University of Afghanistan, with a strong intention to specialize in AI.
I have a message for all girls around the world: You should not give up in the face of any barriers on your path to success and personal growth. Yes, in my country, not attending school or college may be seen as strange and negative in today's world, but it should never be an excuse for not moving forward. We are all human beings, and nothing can compare to the fundamental concept of humanity. Take a deep look within yourself and recognize your own worth, because respect and value come from within and cannot be achieved solely from the outside world. I firmly believe that the excitement of discovering your true self surpasses any academic achievements.
Thank you Madina for giving us the chance to interview you. You're an incredible and powerful person, and you are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for showing girls everywhere that they can be anything <3