Meet Nastaran Halim

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nastaran Halim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nastaran below.

Nastaran , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I get my resilience from the women of Afghanistan — especially the girls who wake up every day under a regime that tells them they don’t deserve an education, yet still dream, still hope, and still fight quietly in their own ways. Their courage shaped mine.

I was born into a world where simply being a girl meant being told “no” before I ever had the chance to say “yes.” When the Taliban took over, I had to leave behind not only my home but my identity, my dreams, and the life I had worked so hard to build. As an asylum seeker in France, I had to start over — in a new language, a new system, and a new culture — with nothing but the belief that I had to make this second chance mean something.

My resilience was born out of survival, but it has grown through purpose. I lead the Women Empowerment Association (WEA), where we support Afghan girls in accessing digital education and English training. When I see their eyes light up during online sessions — even if the internet is weak, even if they have to whisper to avoid being heard — I remember why I keep going.

Resilience, to me, isn’t just about bouncing back. It’s about choosing hope in the face of impossibility. It’s about transforming pain into power, and using every “no” I’ve ever heard as fuel to create space for others to say “yes.”

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Nastaran Halim, the founder and president of the Women Empowerment Association (WEA) — a grassroots initiative focused on promoting education and digital access for Afghan girls, especially those living under regimes that restrict their rights.

As an Afghan asylum seeker now based in France, my work is deeply personal. I know what it means to have dreams denied and opportunities stripped away simply because of gender. That’s why WEA exists: to create pathways of hope through education, especially in digital literacy and English, so that girls can reclaim their voices and futures.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is “English Certificate for a Better Future,” recently funded by the International Children’s Peace Prize Theme Fund. We provide free, high-quality online IELTS/TOEFL prep for Afghan girls — many of whom are banned from attending formal school. It’s more than a language course; it’s a lifeline.

Another milestone I’m honored to be part of is my selection as a Gender Champion at the ITU Generation Connect 2025 program. This July, I’ll be speaking at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event in Geneva, where I’m leading a workshop on how technology can transform the lives of Afghan women — even under censorship and conflict.

What makes my work special is the community it builds. These girls aren’t just students; they’re future leaders. And through digital tools, we’re giving them back a piece of the freedom they were denied.

I want people to know that education is activism, and when you invest in a girl’s learning, you ignite generational change. My mission moving forward is to scale this project, collaborate with more global partners, and build a sustainable platform where Afghan girls can learn, connect, and lead — no matter where they are.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Purpose-Driven Resilience
Resilience became my foundation—not just to survive as an Afghan refugee, but to rise with intention. I faced language barriers, cultural differences, and legal uncertainties, but each challenge pushed me to build something meaningful. My strength came from having a clear mission: empowering girls who are silenced.
2. Digital Literacy
Learning how to use digital tools changed everything. I used free platforms like Google Workspace, Canva, and Zoom to create and deliver educational programs to Afghan girls who are banned from attending school. Technology became my bridge to the world and a lifeline for those I serve. It’s a skill I believe every changemaker needs.
3. Storytelling with Impact
Your story is your power. I learned that by speaking honestly—from webinars to international summits—I could connect with people, gain support, and create real change. When you tell your story with clarity and heart, it inspires others to act and believe in your vision.

My advice: A small action can lead to a community. Don’t wait to feel “ready.” Start with one idea, one post, one person. That small act can become a movement—and a support system you never imagined

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I’m actively looking to collaborate with individuals and organizations who are passionate about girls’ education, digital empowerment, and refugee inclusion.

I’m especially interested in partnering with:
Educators and English language experts willing to volunteer or collaborate on curriculum development for Afghan girls.
• Tech professionals or platforms that can support with digital tools, training, or online infrastructure.
• Nonprofits, foundations, or youth-led initiatives looking to co-create impactful programs or amplify refugee-led voices

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wea_afg?igsh=dHo4emJ6M2JkemJs
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nastaran-halim-029275306?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

All to myself