KUNDUZ - About 300 girl students listened to two inspiring local woman leaders as they spoke about the successes and challenges of their life in Pul-i-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province, last week.

One of the woman leaders who spoke last week was Shukria Asil, the head of the Baghlan Provincial Culture and Information Department. Ms. Asil said despite enormous challenges, the Afghan women have the potential to make some difference in the Afghan society.

The woman leaders – Ms. Asil and Nooria Hameedi, a member of the Provincial Council – spoke at an event jointly organized by UNAMA and local Radio Arzu radio.

The event was a part of the “If I can do it, you can do it too” speaker series started by UNAMA, which aims to highlight the successes of the Afghan women and encourage other women to draw inspiration from the Afghan role models.

“In 2010, I received the international brave women award from the US Department of State. I heard illogical words and accusations (against me) from the people who didn’t want to see the women progress. But, I never got disappointed,” said Ms. Asil.

Ms. Hameedi said the women are naturally honest and they want to work for Afghanistan. “The women want a peaceful life for their people, but there are exploitive hands that try to subvert women’s successes,” she said.

One of the participating students, Zarghoona Saboori, from Pul-i-Khumri Hawa Girls’ School, said she wanted all parents to send their daughters to school and guarantee their future.

Another student, Ms. Bunafsha (one name), said, “We should be patient, and should not be disappointed and fight against the challenges and problems to reach our goals.”

Baghlan is one of the Afghan provinces where Afghan women and girls have been facing a number of hardships and challenges. One of the examples was of 14-year-old Sahar Gul, who had been married to a much older man by her step brother. She was tortured and locked in a basement toilet for six months by her husband and in-laws before being rescued earlier this year.