Hazara Women of Afghanistan Share Digital Stories (2025)
This program marks the first-ever digital storytelling initiative dedicated exclusively to empowering Hazara women, providing them a unique platform to share their voices and experiences.
Hazara Women of Afghanistan Share Digital Stories is a hybrid digital empowerment program designed to support refugees in the D.C. metropolitan area and Malmö, Sweden, by providing them with digital literacy and storytelling skills.
About
In January 2025, facilitators led four weekly sessions encouraging participants to express themselves and share inspiring stories from their communities, promoting peace and unity. This program fosters collaboration, creativity, and confidence while amplifying the voices of Hazara women.
A key long-term goal is to help Hazara women in the Afghanistani diaspora recognize the importance of sharing their life experiences. Through storytelling, they can better understand their journeys and reshape their identities. For centuries, women have used storytelling to convey knowledge, preserving vital aspects of their cultural heritage. The Taliban’s silencing of women’s voices and narratives poses a significant threat to Hazara’s identity. Additionally, the generalized story of women in Afghanistan mustn’t subsume the unique experiences of Hazara women of Afghanistan.
Additional Team Members:
Gail Prensky, Mark Haney, Cindy Oxberry, Jay Simpson, Nasiba Daytabar, Johan Fält, Leif Perrson
Organizations:
Livestream Recording of Showcase Event
Georgetown University, Feb 21, 2025
Our showcase event included a number of special features to celebrate the premiere of the digital stories produced as part of our pilot program:
- Opening Remarks by Dr. Sima Samar, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and Human Rights Advocate
- Hazaragi Music by Ahmad Ghulami
- Panel Discussion with Storytellers
- Gift Exchange