Voice Reclaimed: An Afghan Activist’s Path to Freedom

When Nabila stepped up to the microphone at AsylumWorks’ International Women’s Day celebration, she wasn’t just giving a speech–she was reclaiming her voice.

Back in Afghanistan, Nabila had built a life around amplifying women’s rights. As a journalist and activist, she advocated for education, employment, and freedom–until the Taliban takeover put her life in danger. Their rule forced her into hiding, erasing her career and prohibiting her from appearing in public or gathering with other women.

After two years in the shadows, Nabila made the painful decision to flee. Her journey spanned thirteen countries, carrying her toward an uncertain future in the United States. Landing in Virginia in early 2024, she arrived without a home, job, or English language skills. Exhausted and alone, she had nowhere to turn, until she found AsylumWorks. 

At AsylumWorks, case managers familiar with Nabila’s experience guided her toward stability. With their support, she mapped out goals for employment, housing, and self-sufficiency. Working alongside a career coach, she crafted her resume and secured a part-time job. Steady income helped her rent a place to call home. She enrolled in English classes, determined to pursue new job opportunities. For the first time in years, she felt safe and in control of her life. 

Now, standing before a room of Afghan women, her voice carried strength and confidence. “Back home in Afghanistan, I was an independent woman. When I got to the U.S., I didn’t know what to do. AsylumWorks was the first organization that helped me, took me by the hand, and showed me the way forward. My presence here, among you, is proof that no obstacle can stop women from progressing,” she said. “We Afghan women are strong. We will never give up!” 

Around the room, women nodded in recognition, some wiping away tears. Surrounded by those who have walked her path, and supported by AsylumWorks, Nabila is rediscovering her power as a woman, a mother, a wife, and a community leader.

Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the client.