I'm not going to give up
“This time, I saw myself in their faces.”
Early life and first Taliban rule
Samira was an accomplished student with literary aspirations. "I loved writing and reading stories — my dream was to become a writer." At 15, the Taliban's first takeover forced her family to a village, abruptly ending her education.
Forced marriage and return to education
The Taliban kidnapped girls for forced marriages, and Samira was forced into marriage while still young. When the Taliban withdrew, she briefly attended university but had to leave due to pregnancy and financial constraints. Years later, with improved circumstances, she completed her degree and spent twenty years in government work.
The second takeover
The current Taliban return devastated her again, but witnessing her daughters' suffering motivated action. "This time, I saw myself in their faces." She pivoted to entrepreneurship, manufacturing dresses, handicrafts, and kitchen appliances to fund community education.
Running a secret school
She operates clandestine classes teaching girls maths, English, and science while publicly claiming they study only the Quran. She also offers tailoring classes for older women. "I'm not going to give up," she says, and urges the international community not to abandon her efforts.