I am Atefa Kakar from Kabul, Afghanistan, a country which has been surviving despite a four-decade long war and conflict. The war has badly affected all aspects of peoples’ lives, especially of women and children. Though I believe in women’s capacities and sacrifices, but still they are suffering from insecurity, religious extremism, poverty, lack of job opportunities and education, extremist traditions and patriarchal mind of the most of the people. As a young female member of my society, I have personally witnessed the consequences of war that has victimized all residents and destroyed the infrastructure, therefore I am determined to make a positive change and to contribute to the ending the ongoing conflict. Having lived in Afghanistan throughout the time of the Taliban, I also know that peace and sustainable development cannot be made at all cost, sacrificing important achievements that have been made in the last 16 years. In order for this not to happen there need to be strong advocates, of which I would like to be one.

I have completed my school and accomplished my bachelor studies in commerce in India. My work experience consists of several years including working with the German International Cooperation, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the UN Women Afghanistan Country Office in different capacities.

It has been my ambition to get qualification and skills in a specific field to contribute in making positive change in the lives of my countrymen. To this cause, I want to do my master’s program in Development Economics and International Co-operations in Tor Vergata University of Rome. I am sure this will help me not only to equip me with skills and knowledge but also with a network of well qualified and talented people across the world to help me realize my dream of playing a crucial role at the leadership level to help humanity at all, while my people in specific.