For many Afghan women and girls, the future is bright – if given the opportunity.
Our direct services always open the door of opportunity.
Raised in a conservative Pashtun family, her perspective on the importance of community was influenced by watching her mother and aunt participate in WAW educational programs at the New York Community Center, learning English, attending classes, and engaging in community events. Through them, as a young girl, Saira saw WAW as being a space where Afghan women supported, encouraged, and empowered.
Saira is now a junior at Queens College studying finance. Raised in a conservative Pashtun family, Saira faced challenges pursuing a degree in finance because it is often viewed as a male-dominated field. However Saira did not give up on her passion to break into the field of finance as a first-generation Afghan girl.
Her journey has already had ripple effects. By seeing Saira pursue higher education, her younger cousins have become more open to exploring new career paths. Representation, she says, matters.
“WAW offers so many services that empower women, especially those who haven’t had opportunities,” Saira shares. “This work needs more funding because it’s a real issue that deserves attention.”
Saira’s story is a reminder that impact extends beyond direct services. Sometimes, change begins simply by an opportunity and believing that a brighter future could be within reach.
Alongside pursuing a career in finance, she plans to give back by volunteering and interning with WAW beginning this January, supporting Afghan women and girls who are seeking opportunities she once observed from the sidelines.
Help open doors for more women and girls.
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