Shogufa, strength, perseverance and hope
My name is Shogufa Yaqoubi, and I come from Ab Kamari district in Badghis province, Afghanistan. I hold a bachelor’s degree in education, and although I pursued studies in midwifery up to the final semester, I was unable to complete the program due to government-imposed restrictions.
Despite the numerous challenges and hardships, I have faced, I have never given up. While pursuing my studies, I began working with various international organisations. For over five months now, I have been working as a Community Mobiliser in the remote district of Bala Murghab, where I work closely with local women and communities.
In this role, I travel to distant and difficult-to-reach areas without fear, always in coordination with my supervisor. I even stay overnight in the field to ensure our programs are implemented effectively. I believe working for the community, especially for rural women, is not just a job, but a humanitarian mission.
So far, I have helped in conducting training sessions for over 80 women in areas such as water management, entrepreneurship, agricultural harvest techniques, tailoring, carpet weaving, leatherworking, and embroidery.
One of the most unforgettable moments in my journey was helping a widowed woman start her own tomato paste production business. With our guidance, she began selling her products in the village, a small step that brought big changes to her life. Witnessing such transformations fills me with hope and purpose.
I was also honoured to represent women entrepreneurs at the Autumn Exhibition in Herat and then Kabul, where I supported two women in booth design, product packaging, labelling, and marketing. I helped prepare pickles, jams, and clothes for display and sale.
Contributing to the visibility and success of women’s products was a proud achievement for me.
In addition to delivering trainings, I have also participated in workshops on women’s rights and safeguarding, where I gained valuable knowledge that I now apply in my work and interactions with women in the field.
Beyond my professional life, I am a strong, independent, and hopeful woman. I live in a household of nine people, including my husband who lost a leg due to the war and is now unable to work. I am the sole breadwinner, responsible for supporting my children’s education and meeting the family’s daily needs.
Despite these responsibilities, I balance my role as a dedicated professional, and a loving family member. My family looks to me not just for financial support, but for strength and stability.
To me, success is not just about education or career. It is about facing life’s challenges with resilience, maintaining hope in the darkest moments, and working tirelessly to bring positive change, not just in my life but in the lives of others.
I share my story to show that Afghan women, despite all the limitations, can be strong leaders, compassionate mothers, and agents of change. I consider myself a resilient, responsible, and committed woman who refuses to surrender to life’s hardships.
Every smile I bring to the faces of other women, every small change I help create in their lives - those are my greatest successes. I believe that if a woman has faith, determination, and the will to work hard, no obstacle can stop her from achieving her goals.
I hope my journey can serve as an inspiration to all women who are struggling, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, you can rise, lead, and transform lives.
