My father always says that heroism is in the Pashtun DNA.

A girl has the power to go forward in her life. And she's not only a mother, she's not only a sister, she's not only a wife. But a girl has the - she should have an identity. She should be recognized and she has equal rights as a boy.

I believe in peace. I believe in mercy.

And also I didn't want my future to be just sitting in a room and be imprisoned in my four walls and just cooking and giving birth to children. I didn't want to see my life in that way.

My mother always told me,”hide your face- people are looking at you”. I would reply,”It does not matter; I am also looking at them.

This is what my soul is telling me: be peaceful and love everyone.

There was a time when women activists asked men to stand up for their rights. But this time we will do it by ourselves. I am not telling men to step away from speaking for women’s rights, but I am focusing on women to be independent and fight for themselves.