Meet Nastaran Halim | Activist and change maker
We had the good fortune of connecting with Nastaran Halim and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nastaran, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I didn’t start a traditional business—I started a mission. As a young Afghan woman who has faced many challenges, I wanted to build something that could create real change for others like me. That’s how the Women Empowerment Association (WEA) began.
My thought process was simple: I wanted to use my voice and experiences to help empower girls and women who are often left behind. I believed that even small actions—raising awareness, creating safe spaces, and building a supportive community—could lead to something bigger. I didn’t wait to have everything figured out. I just took the first step
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My work focuses on empowering Afghan girls through education, leadership, and digital access. As the founder of the Women Empowerment Association (WEA), I work to create safe, supportive spaces—especially online—where girls can learn, grow, and lead, no matter where they are.
What sets me apart is that I’ve lived the struggle. I’m not speaking for Afghan girls—I’m speaking as one. I know what it means to be silenced, to be forced to start over, and to fight for your education. That’s what gives my work purpose and power.
Getting here hasn’t been easy. As a young refugee woman, I’ve faced a lot—language barriers, legal uncertainty, financial limits, and moments of deep doubt. But I learned to keep moving forward, even when the path wasn’t clear. I found strength in community, in storytelling, and in taking small actions that led to bigger impact.
What I want the world to know is this: Afghan girls are not voiceless—they are silenced. But they are still here, and they are still rising. My work is about helping them be seen, heard, and supported.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
“I want to give all the credit to Afghan girls—those who continue to dream, fight, and rise despite everything they face. Their courage, resilience, and hope are the reason I do what I do. This journey is not just mine—it belongs to every Afghan girl who refuses to give up.”
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wea_afg?igsh=NjNncHBpMDhmbTVu&utm_source=qr
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
