Supporting Afghan Women and Girls on the Move

Eight-year-old Roya’s childhood took a very different path from her peers. Uncertainty and growing security concerns in Afghanistan forced her family to leave the country they called home. However, the journey they embarked on in the hope of building a new and safer life resulted in the family being separated.

Due to financial difficulties, her mother and three siblings had to return to Afghanistan, while Roya was able to reach Türkiye with her father, Ferid. Far from the family she had left behind, she was trying to adjust to a new life in a country she had never known.

Their first days in Türkiye were far from easy. The lack of identity documents made it difficult for Roya to access essential services, particularly education. While her father, Ferid, worked at an auto repair shop to support them, Roya stayed with him in the industrial area. Overcoming these challenges was essential for her to attend school like other children of her age and enjoy a more stable living environment.

A turning point in Roya and her father’s lives came after they contacted the Association for Social Development and Aid Mobilization (ASAM). The association referred them to the relevant public institutions for identity documentation procedures and followed up on the process. Once they obtained their identity documents, Roya was enrolled in school. This marked her first step towards a future where she could sit alongside children her own age in the classroom.

During this period, Ferid rented a house and moved in with his daughter. After spending their days in the industrial area, they were finally able to establish a new living space of their own.

Today, Roya is trying to build a life of her own together with her father. Her school enrolment marked an important step towards accessing education and participating in school life. Although challenges remain, she now has new opportunities to look forward to.

Roya’s journey towards a brighter future continues. Away from her mother and siblings, she is growing up while adjusting to a new life. Yet every step forward brings new opportunities and opens the door to a brighter future.

(Note: The real names of the beneficiaries have been changed.)