For Farahnaz Oyghan Elyar, 31, arriving in Germany was a mixture of excitement and apprehension. “Everything was different from Afghanistan, from the language to the culture. My new journey filled me with uncertainty.” Two years earlier, she left her place of origin and arrived in Germany. She is an influencer and activist raising her voice for human rights and advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Farahnaz was working as a project officer in the Afghanistan Civil Society Organization before the Taliban took over the country. Together with her team, she was engaged in community awareness about women’s rights from the Islamic perspective and reduction of violence against women.  

The mother of two daughters, Farahnaz is the eldest among her siblings – two brothers and two sisters. Her father is an orthopaedic surgeon, and her mother is a midwife in Afghanistan.

Her life is gradually taking shape in her new home. “Adapting to the language barrier and understanding the bureaucratic processes challenged us in the beginning. I was lucky to receive support from my classmates in the language school and from local organizations. I would suggest to the government to streamline these processes and provide more support for integration into German society,” says Farahnaz. She misses her family in Afghanistan and worries about their safety.

Farahnaz was helped by the Elizabeth Selbert Initiative program administered by the Institut für Auslansbeziehungen (ifa). She says: “ifa helped me to keep going with my advocacy activities for women’s rights in Afghanistan, while starting over with my personal life in Germany.” Her primary focus is on intensive German language learning. “Once I achieve this milestone, I will put more effort into advocating for women’s rights and combating violence against women.”

She appreciates the quality of life in Germany. “I am happy for the efficient public service and the state emphasis on education and personal development. The safety and stability also provide a sense of security that I value greatly.”

Besides her engagement with Afghan communities in Germany, she builds networks with Germans primarily through language exchange programs and shared interests. Remembering her life in Afghanistan, she says: “the vibrant cultural traditions keep me going. I will remember the strong sense of community and the resilience of the people in the face of adversity.”

“For Afghans who have recently come to Germany, I would suggest staying resilient, focusing on learning the language, and seeking support from local communities and organizations.” She is grateful for her progress since arriving in Germany, “despite the challenges of starting life anew, each step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to my resilience and determination. Remembering the strength and resilience of my family and community back in Afghanistan inspires me to keep pushing forward,” Farahnaz says.

As a social media influencer, Farahnaz focuses on social affairs in her content creation – with an emphasis on girls and women. At the same time, she is looking forward to future opportunities in human rights and relevant fields. “I completed the six-month scholarship offered by ifa. It was a great opportunity to meet other Afghan friends who have similar background and to build our group of volunteer human rights defenders in exile, supporting other defenders in Afghanistan.”

In her personal life, she adds, “I’ve been actively involved in cultural exchange events and have started to explore new hobbies, spending more time with my family, especially with my wonderful daughters.”

“I wish for a world where everyone is safe and experiences equal opportunity and justice regardless of their background or circumstances.”