About the Afghan Women

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Marzia, Regional Finance Coordinator at Deloitte Consulting
Arezo, Program Manager, Educational and Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan
Hasina, Executive Director, Afghan Women's Education Center

Marzia Zafarzada Bahir (Masjidi)
Regional Finance Coordinator, Deloitte Consulting LLP/USAID

In 1996, Marzia finished twelve grades of education in Kabul. Due to restrictions on education for women, Marzia left Afghanistan for Pakistan with her family. She studied Literature and Language Faculty for four years upon her return to Afghanistan, where she studied at Kabul University.

While in Pakistan, she developed active listening skills and discovered a talent for fast learning. She was the only Afghan woman who received UNDP Procurement Certification, Security Management, and Gender trainings.

Marzia worked for one year with UNDP Afghanistan, four years with UNDP/Gender Equality (a project where she worked on equal opportunity and education between men and women). She has also worked with USAID projects for nearly two years. Marzia is strongly committed to UNDP and USAID programs.

Marzia's experience with women and violence in Afghanistan has motivated her to do what she can to increase gender equality and help women. She states, "Not only will the Institute for Circlework scholarship help me with my career, but [it will also] help me to bring this skill to Afghan women for their benefit. It will be a big change in Afghan women's life. Also, the training will provide the necessary background for me to anticipate and react to ever-changing environments in women's lives."

Arezo Qanih
Program Manager, ECW

Arezo comes from an educated Kabul family. She started school at 5 and continued until 7th grade when the Taliban halted women's education. Her parents hired a private teacher to instruct her at home. In Kabul, her mother initiated a center for women's verbal skills during the Taliban Regime, with Arezo supporting her.

After the interim government of Afghanistan came to power, Arezo completed high school and attained a BA in German Literature from Kabul University. She has most recently studied law. Arezo believes that without justice, poor families and women will not have many opportunities in Afghanistan. Her parents remained very supportive of her decisions.

As Program Manager for ECW (The Educational and Training Center for Poor Women and Girls of Afghanistan), Arezo strives for women's empowerment and rights through implementations of advocacy and gender equality. She is a member of the Afghan Women's Network (AWN) and the Young Leaders' Forum (YLF). Most recently, she served as a representative in the London Conference on Afghanistan in January 2010.

Arezo is energetic and a committed social and women's rights activist with a passion for her work. She believes that participation in the Circlework training will help build and expand her networking with other women in Afghanistan and work with them to bring change to her country.

Hasina Safi
Executive Director, AWEC

Hasina comes from an educated family. Her father, a diplomat, and her mother, a teacher, gave her much support as a child. At age five, she migrated to Peshawar, Pakistan, with her family. She completed her primary education in Malalai High School, where she learned advanced English and teaching skills. She began working as a teacher due to her passion for leadership.

In 2005, Hasina's involvement in the women's rights movement led to her current career as Executive Director of the Afghan Women's Education Center (AWEC). She is also a board member of AWN (Afghan Women's Network) and has represented Afghanistan in major international conferences. Representing women's civil society of Afghanistan, she has spoken about women's issues in a London conference alongside participants from India, China, and the United States.

Hasina's professional and personal passion for women's power and strength makes the Circlework training an attractive tool to bring to the women of Afghanistan.