In the face of war, loss, and displacement, Afghan women have long stood as pillars of strength and resilience. Rahela Sidiqi’s journey spans decades of upheaval in Afghanistan and a determined path of rebuilding in exile.
From the warm embrace of her childhood home to the threats she faced as a woman leader, hers is a story of carrying forward her father’s belief in dignity and purpose, even when everything else seemed lost.
She shares her life not only to honour those who came before her, but to light the way for the next generation of Afghan girls.
A Childhood of Love and Learning
I had a beautiful childhood in rural Afghanistan, raised in a household filled with warmth and encouragement. My father, who was a police officer, was deeply loving, and my mother was full of grace.
Even as a toddler, I had a strong sense of identity. When my father affectionately called me bachaim (a term parents use endearingly for both sons and daughter), I corrected him: “I’m not your son – I’m your daughter.” He pulled me close and said, “I love you because you are my daughter.”
My parents nurtured a love of learning. Each morning, my father would recite or softly sing poems, and my mother, who didn’t know how to read, would stand nearby and absorb every word. Their silent teamwork shaped my early education.
Losing My Father, Finding My Strength
Life was still full of promise – until 1978, when the Soviet occupation seized power. That same year, my world shattered.
I was just 16 and had completed Grade 12 through an accelerated promotion exam when my father was killed by the Mujahideen while on post.
I was devastated but driven by the deep value of education instilled in me by her parents, I went on to complete school and graduated from Kabul University’s faculty of agriculture in 1986. “You have a degree,” I told my brother. “I want one too.”
Working Under Threat
When the Mujahideen took control, I moved to Mazar-i-Sharif and joined the UN. As Head of UN-Habitat North, I led women-centered projects and established a community approach to engage women in the rebuilding of urban areas. Between 2006-11, I also served as Senior Advisor to the Civil Service Commission of Afghanistan, where I introduced the first Gender Policy and fought for women’s inclusion in government.
Having faced numerous threats throughout the years due to my activism, I was forced to seek asylum in the UK in 2011. But that didn’t stop me from continuing to fight for the futures of Afghan girls and women from abroad through Rahela Trust.
Rebuilding in Exile
In 2015, I founded Rahela Trust, which has supported over 300 Afghan women through scholarships and leadership training. While Rahela Trust supports scholars to learn the skills needed for the job market, our programme equally supports them in developing their character and giving back to society.
After the fall of Kabul in 2021 and witnessing their continuation of atrocities, I founded Omid International to directly help women and young people who are most at risk: financially through the provision of humanitarian assistance; and emotionally with morale-building and mentoring to keep their spirits alive through this difficult time.
The struggle continues, as the Taliban deepens their grip on the fundamental rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. But so does the hope. And I remain committed to helping Afghan women rise, with all my heart.
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