Recipient of a Full Scholarship in Canada.
Nadia is an exceptional 25-year-old Afghan woman who graduated from one of the most prestigious universities in Afghanistan in 2018 with a degree in law and an average score of over 90%. She then completed a training course in “Media Monitoring” with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2019. Nadia is convinced that media and ethical journalism are essential pillars of democracy and society. Before the Taliban banned women’s pursuit of higher education in 2021, she had hoped to continue her studies in journalism.
Nadia used her legal background to get involved as a women’s rights activist. She worked with domestic and foreign media to share her story and that of so many other suffering Afghan women. She appeared on Afghan television (TOLONews) and was featured in a newspaper story written by the Polish journalist Jagoda Grondecka in August 2022. Nadia will not stop fighting until Afghanistan becomes a place where women have the freedom to go to school and can dream of becoming anything they want.
During the past couple of years, Nadia has worked hard to improve her English. While in hiding, she has taught English and other high school subjects online to other Afghan women so they do not fall too far behind in their education. Despite facing frequent electricity shortages, she finds creative ways to provide continuity in her classes. Her activism and advocacy efforts against the Taliban have put her life at great risk.
Nadia has been awarded a full scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in Canada and FTR is doing everything to support her studies while in Canada. She firmly believes that education can empower women to voice their opinions and to bring about positive change. She is determined to make a difference in Afghanistan.