Scholarship / Applying on Chevening; "Do not wait on a leader...look in the mirror, it's you!" - Katherine Miracle [6]

"Do not wait on a leader...look in the mirror, it's you!" -- Katherine Miracle. True! Wonderful words pointed by a speaker, and it is what my dad always told me to comply in life. Every single female in Afghanistan needs a person or we can say a supporter to always make them believe that there is a leader within them, which needs to be growing day by day. My supporter is my father. He told me once: if you want to influence in someone's mind; support and lead them. I started working on being influencer not for myself or family, but the society where I was born. Day by day, I have learned that leading and supporting others will close me to this goal.

From start, in school days being class representative and basketball team captain showed me the leadership mirror. At last year of School, we had a final match of Basketball with another school and our team member was incomplete. That time, I remembered two of my classmates Zahra and Arzoo which were always watching our matches but never dare to play, although they had the knowledge of this sport. I asked them to join the team, they refused because they didn't know they have the ability to play and win. After convincing them I have start practicing with them day and night. Finally, match gets started, While playing the match I was not focusing on winning the game, my only goal was making believe Zahra and Arzoo that they can do it. Then, a time came which the last goal will lead the team to win and it was a great chance for me to goal, but I risked the team and let Arzoo to move on and try to goal. And yeah! She did it. That happiness in her eyes showed me that leadership should be more participative and enabling than directive and performing. Moreover, when I was at University, I became leading person of class team works, and always tried hard to get the highest score. Although, some other member of team were actually not participating or had some problems. But I have helped them to learn, so at least they can defeat for their selves on the day of presentation.

Furthermore, when I was working on Oxus Consulting Group, we were on project of US Department of Defense. This was about Train, Advise and Assist Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense in Afghanistan. At start, I was working as a IT technical assistant then I was promoted as IT Consultant. This project on itself was a leading project which we were helping our security ministries for growing up and being developed. At the same time, I was Master Trainer at IT female capacity building project, from World Bank to Information and Communication Ministry of Afghanistan, which were held by RANA Private University. In this project I have trained 200 afghan IT females in cybersecurity, which is a rare subject in Afghanistan. At the end of this project, my class students were chose as best students of this project, my class had the higher number of students graduated, and I got the best trainer award between all the other trainers.

To conclude, these achievements in my life, especially my work experience in OXUS Organization and Rana University has shown me that Afghanistan needs more like me. I will strive hard not just to reach my goals, but to make many other female leaders in IT security which will work side by side with me to develop Afghanistan. Coming back from Chevening with new ideas, knowledge, and experience will give me the power to hold others hand in this field, which they are waiting for.