Shahla Jalili: “Let’s take the lead!”

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FutureSheLeaders (10)

Shahla, a 17-year-old girl from Kabul, shares her dream of leadership with a voice full of clarity and hope.

She has shattered the taboo of being “just a girl,” defying the notion of women as second-class citizens by proving her strength and leadership—starting from within her own family.

A radiant force in the Peace on Earth Game and a proud graduate of the Empowerment program, Shahla believes that meaningful change begins with small, steady steps—and that leadership is a legacy girls must gift to one another, one voice at a time.

In this episode, we journey through Shahla’s story of growth, courage, and the rising spirit of feminine leadership.

With purpose in her heart and light in her words, she steps boldly into the future, calling out to every girl:

“Let’s take the lead.

Royesh: Shahla jan, hello! Welcome to FutureSheLeaders!

Shahla: Hello, dear ustad. I hope you’re well and healthy. Thank you for inviting me. I’m so happy to see you again after such a long time.

Royesh: Which group are you in for the Peace on Earth Game?

Shahla: I’m in a group called Parwaz — I lead the team.

Royesh: How many members are in your group?

Shahla: There are four others, so five including me.

Royesh: Shahla jan, if you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Shahla: Ustad, three words may not be enough — but I’ll try! The first word is resilient. No matter the situation or where I’ve been in life, I’ve always tried to stand strong and never give up. The second is dreamer. I always try to imagine a better future and carry those dreams with me. And the third is inspiring. I try to share what I’ve learned from my life to motivate and uplift others.

Royesh: This show is called FutureSheLeaders. The key word here is leadership. When you hear that word, what image comes to your mind?

Shahla: I’m someone who imagines a lot — especially at night before sleeping. I picture the future I want. When I think of the word leadership — which I truly love — a beautiful image comes to mind: A woman holding a candle or a lantern, standing in a dark place. Behind her are hundreds or thousands of girls, following her path. They’re all searching for light — for awareness, for knowledge. And Shahla, in the heart of that darkness, leads the way forward. She walks toward the light and guides others with her — helping them find hope in the darkness.

That’s the image I see when I think of leadership: A leader at the front, holding a light, leading others toward brightness, learning, and awareness.

Royesh: What quality do you see in yourself that makes you feel like a leader?

Shahla: Being a leader doesn’t always mean being at the top or having a high position, or carrying the title of leader. I believe I am — and can be — a leader because I help people. I try to guide others, especially Afghan girls, on the path of learning and education. Just as I’ve had people who supported and inspired me — like you, Ustad — I now try to pass that hope on to other girls.

I want them to stay connected to education, not lose their way, and keep moving forward. And I think the greatest thing a leader can do is to help others find knowledge — to guide them toward awareness and growth.

Royesh: Let’s go back a bit to your childhood. Can you tell us about your birth, your early years, your parents and family? When and where were you born? What was your family environment like?

Shahla: I was born in Kabul. I’m 17 now — turning 18 in two months.

Both my parents are educated. My father finished 12th grade and works in construction. My mother studied up to 10th grade. When they got married, my father’s family promised that she could continue her education — but in the end, they didn’t let her.

When I was born, my extended family didn’t really value daughters. In their eyes, sons were always more important.

When a girl was born, people would say things that made it seem like a misfortune — as if the family deserved pity. My grandparents had no grandsons yet and were hoping for a boy.

At first, it didn’t seem like a big issue — I was born, then my two sisters, and after us came my two brothers.

But still, there was this constant belief that sons were better — they would carry the family name, take care of the parents, and were seen as more important.

Until about 4 or 5 years ago, girls in my family weren’t really valued. But now, things have changed.

At least inside our home, I feel there’s equality. My parents and sisters treat us the same. In fact, I feel they now give me even more attention than my brothers.

But in the larger family and community, that bias still exists.

Royesh: What do you think changed in your parents’ mindset — or in you — that helped reduce this gender bias in your family?

Shahla: In the past, most girls didn’t get the chance to study. They were often married young, had children early, and never pursued education.

Our parents expected the same for us — they thought we’d grow up, get married, and become homemakers.

But when we proved our abilities — when we showed we could learn and succeed — things began to change.

I often tell my family that I want to become a leader. Now, my sisters and brothers actually call me leader at home — and that makes me so happy.

I believe that when we prove our worth, when we show how capable we are, parents begin to see us differently.

If a daughter puts in more effort and shows more potential than a son, no parent can ignore that — they begin to treat her with the respect and value she deserves.

Royesh: When did you first realize your name had a special meaning? Have you ever asked who chose it and why?

Shahla: My mother is from the Bayat tribe and my father is Hazara.

When I was born, my father named me Shahla — it means a woman with soft bluish eyes and beauty. He chose it for its meaning and inspiration.

I truly love my name. Sometimes I think, if it hadn’t been given to me, I would’ve changed my name to Shahla myself!

I’m a playful person — I joke around a lot at home. Sometimes I say, “You never appreciate me unless something big happens!” I jokingly complain.

But honestly, my parents support me in everything I do — they always cheer me on.

Royesh: If you could keep just one memory from your childhood — one image to hold onto forever — what would it be?

Shahla: It would be a memory with one of my younger uncles.

When I was about four, I didn’t go to school or kindergarten yet. I used to spend a lot of time with him.

One day, he brought me a big drawing book and a beautiful set of colored pencils.

Even though most of my family didn’t care much about education — except for my father and that uncle — he told me:
 “Here, take this and draw. If your drawings are good, I’ll bring you an even better book.”

So every day, I drew whatever I imagined, trying to make it beautiful, just so he’d bring me more.

That moment means a lot to me — because even before I ever went to school, I already had a love for learning and creativity.

Royesh: Besides your uncle — who clearly had an impact on your thinking — was there anyone else in your childhood or family who influenced your mindset or character the most?

Shahla: Yes — during my early school years, around 4th or 5th grade, I had a teacher named Ustad Reyhaneh.

She was not only skilled but incredibly kind and caring — almost like a mother.

Honestly, we never even felt she wasn’t our real mom. That’s how deeply she cared.

Even though the class could be noisy and playful, she worked so hard, always teaching us with patience.

I truly believe she had a big impact on my life — one of the most influential teachers I’ve ever had.

Royesh: What moments in your family do you remember most — the ones that gave you a sense of power, motivation, or hope?

Shahla: Whenever I earned even a small prize or a good grade at school or a course, and brought it home, my family would cheer me on with so much joy.

Their excitement made me feel powerful — like I wasn’t even on the ground anymore, like I was flying. That happiness they showed gave me real motivation. It made me want to keep going, to win again — just to feel that joy together.

Royesh: Where did you begin your early schooling? You’ve mentioned Ustad Reyhaneh — do you have other memories from those first years?

Shahla: I started my schooling at Rahnaward Noor School, from kindergarten up to grade seven.

Aside from Ustad Reyhaneh, I remember Ustad Zainab — she was the one who truly introduced me to writing.

In grade five, I wrote my first story called “A Pair of Red Shoes.”
 She gave us the first two lines and asked us to continue the story. She said, “Let’s see who can write the best ending.”

I had already started reading books by fourth grade. Our school wasn’t modern or fancy — it was quite traditional — but they had set up a small library.

They told us: “You can borrow books with a card. You can even bring books from home.”

That little library changed a lot for me. It led me to reading, then to writing — and Ustad Zainab, our essay teacher, played a big role in that.

I really love her. She made a beautiful impact on my life.

Royesh: What was the first book that truly moved you — the one that shifted your perspective?

Shahla: The first book I read was in fourth grade — it was a storybook.

I think it was Cinderella, or maybe a cartoon-style story — something simple, but powerful enough to capture the heart of a four-year-old girl and make her open the book and read.

Royesh: Is there a book you remember — one that truly moved you, made you feel like you entered a different world, or gave you a new understanding of life?

Shahla: Every book is beautiful in its own way and each has changed my life somehow — they all hold a special place.

But one book I deeply connected with is The Diary of Anne Frank.

It’s the memoir of a young girl during World War II — and parts of it felt so close to my own life.

Anne was just a girl, like me, and she wrote about living through war. Because she was Jewish, she had to wear a green star on her clothes.

And now, in Afghanistan, we women must wear the chadari — the full-body veil — just to be allowed outside.

That parallel struck me deeply. I felt like I could see myself in her story.

Royesh: Besides the similarity you mentioned with Anne Frank, what other connection do you feel that makes you both resilient and hopeful about the future?

Shahla: Anne Frank’s life was incredibly hard — much harder than ours.

At least we can still breathe freely, get fresh air — but she was locked in a room like a cage, unable to even step outside.

In that way, we’re luckier than she was. But still, we share many similarities. They were excluded from society because they were Jewish. We’re excluded because we’re girls. People think we don’t belong in public life, that we can’t play a meaningful role in society.

She couldn’t go to school — she was confined — but she still read books and wrote. She dreamed of becoming a writer.

That really inspires me, because we’re in a similar situation. We’re not allowed to study — but we still find ways. We still read. We still write. And like Anne, we still dream.

Royesh: The Diary of Anne Frank was also made into a beautiful film. Have you seen it?

Shahla: I haven’t seen the film, but I heard there’s a version that was made — though it doesn’t follow the book exactly. Some parts were changed.

Royesh: If someone asked you for a book recommendation — something that could inspire them and give them energy — what book would you suggest?

Shahla: Right now, I think many Afghan girls believe that only the result matters — that they should only do something if it leads to a clear reward. They don’t really value the journey.

That’s why I’d recommend The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.

It’s the story of an old fisherman named Santiago who hasn’t caught a fish in 84 days. One day, he goes far out to sea and finally catches a huge marlin — after a long, exhausting struggle.

He’s thrilled, but on his way back, small sharks smell the blood and eat the marlin, leaving him only with the skeleton.

When he returns, everyone is amazed at the size of the fish he had caught — even though there’s nothing left but bones.

To me, that story is powerful. Santiago may not have brought the fish home — but the journey, the struggle, and what he learned on the way meant everything.

If he had stayed home on day 85 and 86, he would’ve gained nothing.

Royesh: So The Old Man and the Sea is a book you’d recommend to others?

Shahla: Yes. Because right now, many people think, “If there’s no result, there’s no point.”

But I believe we need to enjoy the journey.
 We learn so much from the process itself.

Royesh: That’s one of the key lessons in Empowerment — seeing the journey, or what we call the path of success, as part of success itself.

How much does that mindset — that perspective — give you energy and peace right now, as you walk your own path?

Shahla: As you once shared, there’s a beautiful poem by Rumi. I only remember two lines:
 “Whoever seeks the grain will also gain the straw.
 Head for the Kaaba during pilgrimage — and you will see Mecca too.”

It means, when we aim for a greater goal, even the smaller gains along the way come with it.

In Empowerment, I learned that alongside our main SMART goal, we also have side goals that make us stronger and more resilient.

What matters isn’t whether we reach the result right away — it’s whether we grow along the way.

If we’re only chasing results and ignore the journey, we might miss both. And life starts to feel empty.

But if we enjoy the journey — even if we don’t reach the end — we still feel fulfilled.

Because without that goal, we would’ve never taken that path, never had those experiences.

It’s in the journey that we become strong and empowered — and if we believe, we’ll eventually reach the goal too.

Royesh: Tell me about your writing. Is it a daily practice for you? Do you write every day?

Shahla: I have a notebook where I write every day — it’s my gratitude journal.

Every day, I thank God for what I’ve been given. In Empowerment, gratitude is one of the core values, and I’ve made it part of my daily routine.

As for writing more generally — I write at least three times a week.

I have another notebook. Sometimes when I see it sitting there on the shelf, it feels like it’s calling me:
 “Come on, write something. Why are you just staring at me?”
 And so, I write.

Writing, for me, is like a voice — a voice from the heart of an Afghan girl, speaking to the world.

Maybe I don’t speak aloud, but my words reach others.

Through writing, people can understand what’s in my heart, what’s on my mind.

Writing is also a kind of self-support.

If I don’t have an older sibling or friend to share my secrets with, that notebook becomes my closest confidant.

Royesh: Is writing just a skill you’re practicing — or do you see it as a tool for change?

When you write, do you feel it transforms you, your environment, or your readers?

Shahla: They say, when you write something, write it in a way that the reader can find a piece of themselves in your words.

That’s what I try to do.

I want my writing to come from the heart of the community — so that when Afghan girls read it, they feel, “This girl in the story — that’s me.” “This writer — she’s speaking my life.”

I try to end all my pieces with something inspiring — something hopeful. So whoever reads it walks away with a sense of courage, with motivation —and maybe they’ll say, “I want to be like her.”

Royesh: Friendship and collaboration often shape who we become — especially when developing a leadership model. Have you had a friend who helped shape your own leadership journey?

Shahla: I’ve made a lot of friends through Cluster Education — I’m a social person, so I naturally connect with many. But my closest friend is Sahar Nikzad. Together, we co-lead a network that supports education. Sahar has helped me a lot on my leadership path — and she still does. Through our friendship, we’ve built something meaningful — something that helps others learn and grow. And then there are other friends I met in Cluster — girls like Somaya, Vida, Mursal… They’re full of joy and energy — just like me. We were always laughing, always close, and spent a lot of time together.

Royesh: In your Empowerment group, what role do you usually take? Are you more of a listener, a motivator, a leader — how would you describe yourself?

Shahla: I think I’m more active in leading and motivating others. That’s where I really come alive.

Royesh: Have you ever felt that any of your friends became upset or uncomfortable because of your strong presence — maybe feeling overshadowed?

Shahla: No, Ustad. All of my friends are part of Empowerment.
 And an Empowered person doesn’t get jealous — they focus on growing themselves.
 If someone’s envious, it won’t help them. We each have to put in our own effort.

An empowered individual lifts themselves up — and becomes a leader in their own way.

Royesh: You’ve surely shared so many moments during group work and Empowerment sessions — moments that stayed with you.
 Can you share one unforgettable memory from those times?

Shahla: There are many — but one of the most beautiful ones was when we celebrated Mother’s Day together. Our group — me, Sahar Nikzad, Sahar Rezaei, and Freshta Hamta — came together and invited our mothers to the celebration.

We set up a long table and each of us brought food from home — dishes we loved and wanted to share. The table was full, and all the mothers came. They talked, got to know each other, and laughed together.

We had small gifts for each of them — glass cups — and we gave them as presents. We even sang a group song together for them.

Our mothers said, “If your school is like this every day, you must truly love your life. What a joyful place to learn.”

And it was true — in our Cluster, there was always something happening.

One group would plan an event, invite the rest — and we’d all join in. We took photos, made videos, and created beautiful memories.

Even now, when we see each other, we say, “What amazing days those were…”
 And we still carry those memories with us.

Royesh: You were among the very first group of girls to join Cluster Education and the Empowerment sessions.

How do you feel when you look back at those early days — the first time you heard about Empowerment and began practicing its tools?

Shahla: Yes, just like you said — we were the very first to register in Cluster Education. Back then, Empowerment wasn’t even part of the curriculum. Now, if someone joins, even if they don’t attend Empowerment sessions, they’ve at least heard about it from a friend.

But during our time, no one knew what Empowerment was — not even the teachers or the school staff. Today, thankfully, they know — and they help others understand.

I remember it clearly — it was in the month of Dalwa (January–February). They told us there would be an online class called Empowerment. We were all wondering: “What is Empowerment? Is it a daily class? How does it work?”

Then we found out it was held twice a week. At the first session, I sat in the front row. The topic was “Empowerment is the Art of Beautiful Living.” And that day, I learned something that changed me — three magical words that still guide my life: I want… I can… I do.

Before that, I used to believe the common phrase: “Wanting is the same as being able.”

But Empowerment didn’t reject that idea — it completed it. It showed me that wanting is the first step, being able is the second — but nothing happens unless you act.

So I learned this sequence: Want it. Believe you can. And then — Do it.

That last word — doing — is what makes the difference.

Royesh: Empowerment builds something we call self-confidence — in English, the word Self. It helps you discover your real self and strengthens your belief in who you are. Shahla, what has been your experience with self-confidence through Empowerment? How much has it helped you connect with the real Shahla — to believe in her more deeply?

Shahla: Before I became an Empowered person, I didn’t really understand what a dream meant, or what a goal was. I didn’t know how to plan, or what real strength and will meant. I just knew: “I should have a goal and reach it.”

But Empowerment took me much deeper — it helped me understand every step. From desire to dream, From dream to goal, From goal to strategy, From strategy to action, and finally — to daily planning.

All of that changed me. Honestly, being an Empowered person feels like having wings. You feel like you can fly — because you know exactly what you want from life. Nothing feels vague anymore.

Even the tiniest detail of life becomes part of your plan — and when you follow it, you feel fulfilled. So much so, that if — God forbid — I were to leave this world tomorrow, I’d feel like I’ve already done what I was meant to do.

Royesh: Based on everything you’ve personally experienced, how would you define Empowerment in just one sentence?

Shahla: Empowerment is the art of beautiful living. If you want your life to be the way you truly wish — then learn Empowerment.

Royesh: And if someone does want to build the life they dream of — what should they do?

Shahla: Empowerment teaches us its own guiding message: “The art of beautiful living.” We have to understand what we want, recognize our reality, and see clearly what our ideal is. When we know why we’re here — what kind of life we truly want — then we can begin to manage our reality and slowly transform it into that ideal.

And that ideal is a beautiful life — a life of safety, joy, and well-being. A life free from poverty, free from fear. And I believe every Afghan girl today wants a beautiful life — a life that reflects her own dreams.

How wonderful it would be if they learned Empowerment — and became empowered, too.

Royesh: In a place like Afghanistan, where everything feels like a limitation — where there’s injustice and instability from every side —how can a girl, with an Empowerment mindset, still find the strength to believe: “These obstacles, this pressure — they won’t stop me”? How can she feel true inner power, without denying the harsh realities around her? You’ve found that peace and strength over the past three years — how can another girl in Afghanistan reach that, too?

Shahla: One of the core lessons in Empowerment is about Vision — how we see things. It reminds me of a line by Sohrab Sepehri: “We must wash our eyes. We must see differently.”

Because if we look at reality as it is — it will only make us feel hopeless, broken, even depressed. If we keep thinking, “I can’t change this”, we feel more stuck. But if we change our perspective, we start to see things differently. We realize: “Maybe I can’t change everything — but I can manage what’s mine. I can shape what I do with it.”

Yes, in Afghanistan I might not be allowed to go to school — but maybe I can study online. Maybe I can’t go to a university — but I have a phone at home, and with that, I can learn.

That shift in vision is what stops me from giving up. It gives me the hope to keep going — not by ignoring reality, but by managing it — and turning it into something better.

Royesh: If you wanted to share your Empowerment journey with other Afghan girls — girls facing hardship and pressure — what message would you give them, to help them stay strong, keep their hope and dreams alive?

Shahla: Right now, one of the biggest struggles is how people think. Many girls fall into negative thoughts: “Why was I born a girl?” “Why don’t I have the right to study?”

And so many more questions that only bring sadness and frustration. What I’ve learned — and what I’d love to share — is this: Accept reality — but change the way you look at it.

Even a single powerful word or sentence can give you energy. One positive phrase can bring hope. You don’t have to deny the pain — but you can choose a different way to face it. That’s what I’ve done — and that’s how I keep going.

Royesh: Women’s leadership is one of the dreams you’re working to make real. What does female leadership personally mean to you?

Shahla: In Afghanistan, we’ve never truly had a woman leader. If you ask a man what women’s leadership means, he might not know — or he might say, “A woman can’t lead — only a man can.”

But I believe men are naturally more aggressive, while women are gentle, kind, and nurturing. In a household, if a man takes charge of everything, things often feel chaotic. But when a mother leads — the same responsibilities become more organized, more peaceful. To me, women’s leadership means leading with care, softness, and strength at the same time.

Royesh: Shahla jan, leading a family — which is an emotional, close-knit environment — is different from leading a society. In society, you face broader interests, more complex relationships, and often conflict among different groups. You can’t lead there with the same simplicity as in a household.

Shahla: A family is a small version of society. Future generations grow up inside that space — and the mother, the family leader, raises them. When we talk about Vision in Empowerment, it ties directly to this.

A woman doesn’t see people as her possessions. She doesn’t see herself as their owner. She sees them as part of herself — as fellow human beings. She believes: We must first be human if we want to build a just society. Men and women lead differently. We’ve seen many male leaders — and many times, their leadership came with force or control.

But if we shift our perspective and imagine a woman leading a society, you’ll see something different: she leads with softness, with compassion, not with violence or cruelty.

That’s what brings gentleness to a society — and that’s what helps people grow together in peace.

Royesh: Is there a woman leader — someone with the very qualities you’ve described — who has inspired you and proven to you that female leadership is not only real, but a model for others?

Shahla: Yes — in leadership, my role model is Dr. Sima Samar. She’s done so much for education in Afghanistan. One thing we share is that she, too, lived under Taliban rule — she knows exactly what it feels like.

My mother actually studied up to 6th grade in one of the schools supported by Dr. Sima Samar. To me, she represents the true power of a woman in society. She never led with revenge or resentment — even toward those who caused her pain or imposed restrictions. Instead, she focused on building her capacity, working hard, and creating change. She brought the biggest shift in women’s education and advocacy in Afghanistan.

Because true leadership is about transformation — and Dr. Sima Samar transformed lives. She brought people back to education, even in the darkest times — and she stood beside them with strength and compassion.

Royesh: Do you truly believe Afghan women can change the future of Afghanistan?

Shahla: Yes, absolutely. I remember a session we had with you some time ago, where you explained that a computer has two essential parts: hardware and software. You said men are like the hardware — and women are like the software. And software is what actually makes everything function.

The relationship between women and men is like the connection between the body and the mind. The mind is like software — and the body, hardware. Without the body, the mind can’t function. But without the mind, the body has no meaning. They need each other. They are equal — and essential. And that’s why I believe women can — and will — shape the future of Afghanistan.

Royesh: With this analogy — saying women are like software and men like hardware — don’t you think you’re actually giving women greater power?

Shahla: That’s exactly what female leadership means. A woman’s true place is the mind — and leadership begins from there. That’s what makes her the software.

For so long, it’s been reversed. The hardware — the external — has been at the center. But we need to realize that a woman plays the role of software — the one who can guide, lead, and transform. We’re not saying men don’t matter — not at all. Women and men complete each other. We just want each person to be in their rightful place — so together, we can build a better society.

Royesh: So, do you think the injustices, violence, and suffering in society come from the roles of men and women in leadership being reversed?

Shahla: Yes. If we look closely, both men and women want the same thing: for society to grow and flourish. But here’s where the difference lies — and the analogy makes it clear: A woman can function as the software, and a man as the hardware. Hardware is the external part of a computer — just like men often engage with the outside world through physical strength, through action, sometimes even through force.

But women lead differently. They use thought, wisdom, and compassion. They try to solve problems with care. And that, to me, is what female leadership truly means. And that’s why — yes — I believe the leader should be a woman.

Royesh: We’ve arrived at something important — the concept of violence. You’ve suggested that male leadership, throughout history, has often acted with force because men tend to see others as possessions — leading with control rather than care. Do you believe female leadership could change that? Tell me — when you hear the word violence, as a girl, as a woman — what comes to your mind?

Shahla: When I say a woman leader doesn’t use violence, I mean she doesn’t control others, doesn’t act with force, doesn’t see people as something to own.

To me, violence is when you don’t have control over your own life — when someone else forces you to do what they want. Violence is being told not to study. Not being allowed to attend school or university. Being beaten or even arrested just for existing as a girl who wants to learn. This is what violence looks like today. Girls are being detained — we don’t even know where they’re taken. Schools are shut down. Women are being erased from public life. That is violence.

And imagine the damage it does — to the heart and soul of a 12- or 13-year-old girl who’s told: “You don’t belong in school anymore.” Violence is trying to drag a whole society backward — instead of helping it move forward. Instead of progress, it’s pulling us 20 years into the past — back to that same mindset, that same silence, that same darkness.

Royesh: Among the girls you work with in Empowerment and the Peace on Earth Game, how do you deal with violence — whether at home or in society? What are some of the strategies or actions you’re taking to help reduce it?

Shahla: We try to focus on spreading education. When women — even elderly women who just sit at home now — begin to learn and grow, we see that violence can start to decrease. Because even if some men oppose women, at least women shouldn’t stand against each other. We want women to support each other — to encourage one another in learning and self-growth. We even talk to mosque leaders to help us teach literacy classes for women who can’t read or write — so that together, we can move forward and build a more educated community. We try to move with kindness. As I said before: we accept reality, but we manage it — and we work on building our capacity. We try to change the atmosphere around us — the social mood.

Instead of talking about sadness or fear, we talk about books. We pick a book to read — and then we talk about it. We choose a new book for the week ahead. That’s how we shift the focus — and make space for hope.

Royesh: In one of your writings, you said, “Peace for Afghanistan is a necessity, not a choice.” What did you mean by that?

Shahla: We only have the luxury of choice when things are going well — when we live in safety, in comfort. But Afghanistan isn’t in that place. Our country is in deep crisis. It doesn’t have the option to choose peace — it needs peace, just to survive. Without peace, we can’t live side by side, and we can’t build our country together.

Royesh: There are still people in Afghanistan today who believe violence is the only way out of our suffering. They see it as the path to justice, to freedom. As a young woman who stands firmly against violence, what would you say to them?

Shahla: Violence will never lead us to peace or success. If violence really worked — if it could bring happiness, change, or power — then everyone would use it. Even me. Even you. But we’ve seen the truth: violence leads nowhere. It only creates more pain — and takes us even farther from the future we dream of.

Royesh: You and your friends are actively involved in the Peace on Earth Game. What does this game mean to you — and what kinds of things do you actually do through it?

Shahla: The first stage is Empowerment. Each of us must first become an empowered person — so we can truly understand that peace is possible,
 and that we can help bring it.

The second stage is Group Formation. Once we’re empowered, we form teams — five members in each — and we begin doing good things together to build peace.

The third stage is Solidarity. As a group, we learn to love one another simply. We make a promise to stand together. Some of us even tie strings around our wrists — as a symbol of unity and friendship.

The next stage is Shifting from Competition to Cooperation. We stop competing with each other — and start helping one another so we can reach our shared goals.

The fifth stage is Sharing / Generosity. We give what we have to one another — not just material things, but knowledge and skills. If one of us knows how to use a computer, she teaches the rest. If someone is literate, she helps teach the others. That’s what sharing means.

The sixth stage is love and Goodwill. After going through these steps, we begin to truly wish each other well. When we teach literacy to uneducated women,
 they pray for us in return — and that completes this stage, too.

And the seventh — the final stage — is Trust and Faith. When we truly trust one another, when faith grows among us, that’s when we reach real peace — peace on earth.

Royesh: Have you seen any real changes in your relationships — with friends or even with family — because of your experience in the Peace on Earth Game?

Shahla: Yes, definitely. In Cluster Education, we could feel the impact of every Empowerment lesson — starting with our own group. Before, we didn’t really know each other deeply. Each of us just studied on our own. For example, we would have exams in five subjects each month — Physics, Chemistry, Math, English, and Dari. And every girl would study individually. But once we learned the stages of the Peace on Earth Game,
 we started studying together, with a shared goal. We created group study plans — meeting for one hour a day, helping each other review and prepare. That’s when competition turned into cooperation. We began sharing what we knew. If someone had a skill — like reading, or a particular subject — she would give it freely to others. And in return, we learned freely, too. We began to pray for one another, to wish each other well.

And honestly — what could be more beautiful than a community where everyone sincerely wants happiness and success for each other?

Royesh: You’re 18 now — and one of the visions in the Peace on Earth Game is imagining your life at age 40. That gives you 22 years to grow into a true leader, to earn a meaningful place in your society. When you think about that future — when you imagine yourself at 40 — what excites you the most?

Shahla: I think that when I become a leader, the whole society will change — and that will feel like a real revolution. There were many before us — girls our age — who had big dreams. But by the time they reached 40, they either forgot those dreams, gave up, or were forced to let them go because of life’s challenges. But I believe what will keep our dream alive is that we are Empowered individuals.

We’re lucky to have learned Empowerment — and to have a teacher like you, Ustad. Right now, there is only one Aziz Royesh. But in 20 or 22 years, there will be hundreds, even thousands of Aziz Royeshes — people who will carry forward these lessons and serve their communities.

What excites me most is this: Even if I don’t become the leader — maybe someone who understands Empowerment will. And that leader will be someone who truly understands people, who knows what leadership really means, and who leads with empathy, not ego.

My hope is that one day, every person in Afghanistan will learn Empowerment — and truly understand what life is about.

Royesh: A child who enters first grade and dreams of becoming an engineer or a doctor knows they must study for 18 years. They go through sleepless nights, challenges, homework, ups and downs — but they never lose hope, never doubt the path. Why? Because they believe that one day, they will become what they dream. And eventually — they do. Now, you’re on a different but similar journey. At 15, 16, 17, or 18 years old, you’re looking ahead to age 40 — and saying: “I want to become a leader.” You see a path ahead — maybe 18 or 22 years long — just like a schoolchild sees the path from grade 1 to grade 12. But this time, the process is called Empowerment. It takes work, effort, and commitment.

So my question is: Do you feel the same belief about this journey to leadership as a schoolchild feels about becoming a doctor or engineer? Do you truly believe — as clearly and confidently — that one day you’ll become a leader, maybe even a president, or hold a position of real authority in your society?

Shahla: Yes — I do. What I share with that first grader dreaming of becoming a doctor is this: belief. Like that child, I live in a world of self-belief. I wake up every day knowing — I can become. That child believes: “One day I’ll be a doctor, an engineer, a great teacher.” And just like them — I believe I’ll be a leader.

Royesh: But that child — the one dreaming of becoming an engineer — doesn’t really know what engineering is. Their mind is still blank; they believe because someone told them.

But you, as a young woman, do know. The way you speak about female leadership — the difference between male and female leadership — shows deep understanding. So tell me — is your belief in your own future as a woman leader just as strong, just as unshakable, as that child’s belief in becoming an engineer?

 Shahla: Yes — 100 percent. In Empowerment, we say: When we set a goal — a clear, powerful goal — we must believe in it 100%. We never doubt it. Because if we doubt ourselves, we can’t expect anyone else to believe in us either. We must believe — with full certainty — that we will reach it.

Royesh: And when you reach 40 — when people hear your name — what image do you want to come to their minds?

Shahla: I want them to remember a woman who stood back up in the face of every hardship — and still reached a powerful position. A woman who, instead of drowning in her problems, searched for solutions — and found them. I want people to say: “She was strong. She made it.” And I want to be the kind of woman who becomes a role model for their daughters.

Royesh: There are many girls right now, living in families where — just like you once did — they still face discrimination. Families where sons are preferred over daughters. Girls who’ve been banned from school. Girls who hear, “You’re not allowed to study,” but don’t know how to break free from that pressure. What would this Shahla — who now speaks with such confidence, such clarity, such hope — say to those girls?

Shahla: I want to share my experience with them — and say this: Just sitting at home and thinking will not change anything. If all you do is sit and think about how unfair things are, you’ll find endless reasons to feel sad and helpless. But if you keep yourself busy — truly busy — you’ll begin to grow.

Read books. Learn a new skill. Practice your English. Write. Reflect. Do the little things that bring you joy — like speaking kindly to yourself, like encouraging yourself, even talking to your reflection in the mirror —                            that’s one of the Empowerment practices. Do these things.

And over time, you’ll meet a new version of yourself. A new Shahla. You’ll see who you became — how you rose from pain and sadness and grew into someone powerful. Books will open your eyes to what life really means. Talking to yourself helps you discover how valuable you are, how much you matter, how deeply you can love yourself.

When you look into your own eyes in the mirror, you’ll see your strength — and realize how you can rise from this pain, blossom from within it, and become something beautiful.

Royesh: In Empowerment, we talk about four levels of women’s active participation: Physical presence, voice, decision-making, and action.

As someone working to realize a model of female leadership, what do these four levels mean to you? How much direction do they give you?

Shahla: I believe all four forms of participation exist within me. They’ve helped me realize my worth — how important my role is in life — and why I’m here in this world.

Royesh: Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt stuck — hopeless — as if you’d reached the end of the road?

Shahla: Yes, there was one time I felt that way. But honestly, I don’t even understand myself sometimes. Even when I do feel hopeless — it never lasts. I’m naturally playful, light-hearted. So maybe I feel down for 10 minutes… but then it’s gone. It’s like — from the moment I was born — someone whispered into me: “Hopelessness is not for you.”

There’s just so much hope built inside me. Maybe I do get discouraged — I won’t deny that — but it never stays. After 10, maybe 20 minutes — hope comes back.

Royesh: What do you do in those moments? What is it inside you that pulls you from hopelessness to hope? From feeling stuck to feeling free again?

Shahla: When I feel hopeless, I’ve had times where I thought, “That’s it. This is the end.” But then — something happens. It’s as if the universe aligns itself in my favor. Something unexpected shows me that this wasn’t the only way — that another path was possible. That’s when I realize: Hopelessness has no meaning. Why give up, when there are always other ways forward? Just like there are countless paths to reach God — there are always paths to move ahead.

So when I feel low, I try to spend time with myself. I shift my thoughts. I talk to myself. And that helps me release the sadness — and rise again.

Royesh: Imagine the whole world — everyone — goes silent for one minute just to hear you. What would you say in that one minute?

Shahla: We are Afghan girls. We don’t want your pity — we want your respect. We are doing everything we can to keep learning, to keep teaching, to never let the light of education fade.

We are innocent. We are the quiet victims of a war we did not choose.

But being an Afghan girl — is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. If I were born again ten times — I would still choose to be an Afghan girl. Yes, life for us is full of challenges. Maybe it’s not like the life of an American girl, or an Australian girl. But I choose this life. Because a true leader is born from pain.  From pain, we learn what life really means.
 And it is from pain — that we rise.

Royesh: What is it that lifts you up every morning — that fills you with energy to begin the day?

Shahla: Every morning, I wake up and pray. Then I sit and write for half an hour — just a simple list of the things I want to do that day. And that list — it gives me energy.

As I go through each task, I feel stronger, more alive, more focused. Hope doesn’t knock on your door and say: “I’m here!” You just need a small reason — a simple spark — to let hope rise inside you.

And every day, I find that spark.

Royesh: If you had the power to pass the most beautiful law for women in the world, what would be the first three articles?

Shahla: Article One: Education. What we don’t have is what we most need. Education must never be a privilege — it must be a right. For every woman, every girl, no matter her background. Especially for Afghan women, and for women everywhere.

 Article Two: Freedom. Freedom means not being forced to do what you don’t want. No one should be under pressure to live a life they didn’t choose. Article Three: Respect. Please — respect women. Don’t see them as weak. See them as they truly are: strong, capable, and worthy of dignity.

Royesh: Millions of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan are now under pressure to return to Afghanistan. Among them are countless girls — girls like Shahla — who had big, beautiful dreams. But now, many feel those dreams are fading. What message does Shahla have for them?

Shahla: My message is: please, don’t lose hope. If I could speak to you in person, I would tell you about Cluster Education — a place that gives you strength, believes in you, and reminds you: you can still reach your dreams.

Coming back to Afghanistan means coming home. We’re sorry that we couldn’t welcome you warmly. But please — study, even in secret if you must. Learn. Grow. Your dream still matters — and so do you.

Royesh: Right now, your parents are listening. What would you like to say to your father and mother?

Shahla: I love my parents deeply. I’m truly grateful to them. They’ve supported me in so many ways throughout my life.

Royesh: And now, beyond you, there are hundreds of other small groups in the Peace on Earth Game — teams working beside you, each playing their part in this journey of women’s leadership. What message do you have for them?

Shahla: Small steps take us closer to big dreams. I believe in you — and I ask you to believe in me, too. When we work hand in hand, when we build our teams and see more and more girls forming new groups each day — it fills me with hope. It means we’re not alone. There are many of us — and growing.

And if we keep going, Afghanistan can know peace. We can build joyful lives. To my sisters and teammates: Every step you take matters. Together, we are moving toward our shared goal — Peace on Earth by 2030. I’m proud to walk this path beside you.

 Royesh: Imagine you are the only leader in the world right now — and you have the right to deliver a leadership message. What’s one powerful sentence you would say to your companions in the Peace on Earth Game?

Shahla: Let’s rise — and take leadership into our own hands.

Royesh: Thank you, dear Shahla. It was a joy to share this beautiful, memorable moment with you and hear your inspiring messages.

Shahla: Thank you, teacher.

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