Finding Sanctuary

Nazia (LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice) left Afghanistan in the aftermath of the fall of Kabul in 2021. As an asylum seeker, she had no access to UK student finance. Through York’s Equal Access Scholarships she’s been supported to study for a better future.

“I was born in Pakistan, as a refugee. From my childhood, I didn’t have access to many basic human rights. We were living with cousins, and I wasn’t allowed to go to school. 

My father was a journalist, and supportive of women’s rights, but he was away a lot, covering the war in Afghanistan. When we moved back to Kabul, he stood with me and fought against cultural norms to get me an education. 

In 2016, I was studying law at the American University of Afghanistan when it was attacked. I lost my teacher and fellow students in front of my eyes. I got severely injured and didn’t know if I would survive. Fortunately, I was given another chance. 

The attack confirmed my belief in the right to education. Nobody should be attacked or killed just because they are studying. I had to take a stand. My mother wasn’t happy that I was going back to the same university, but if I gave up, it would be like they won and I lost. 

I graduated in 2019, and worked at the State Ministry for Parliamentary Affairs and then with the UN. I was part of the young and educated generation of Afghanistan. We wanted to build our country. We wanted to learn. I applied to study at York. 

Not long after, the government collapsed. When the Taliban took over, their main target was women. Every day, they would announce new decrees that would restrict women’s rights. Leaving my home was the only option left for me. 

I received a call from York, offering me an Equal Access Scholarship. It was like magic that changed and still is changing my life. At the time when I had lost everything, every hope, I was given another chance to get out. Everyone was so supportive. I was shocked when I would see people’s generosity, people’s kindness towards me. 

Now I’m working as a case worker for the British Red Cross. My job involves helping Ukrainian refugees settle in to the UK: registering with the doctor, accessing accommodation, applying for English courses. 

I’m planning to do a PhD, researching human rights violations committed in Afghanistan. There are cases not prosecuted, not investigated, and the perpetrators living life with impunity. I’m not the only girl who has had her rights taken from her, and not the only one to find a voice, a strength to fight back. Every woman can.”