In the early ’90s, when Schahina Gambir was still a child, she found herself on a journey with her family that would forever change their lives. “Coming from Kabul, we sought refuge in Germany from the turmoil of war.” Her first memories of this country are hazy and filled with feelings she couldn’t explain at the time. “The cold climate, the foreign language, the new faces. Yet, those first days in Germany also marked the beginning of a new hope, a new chapter.”

At first, arriving in a foreign country whose language they did not speak and whose culture was unknown to them was challenging for Schahina and her family. The political and social atmosphere in Germany back then resembles the situation now, “because it was marked by heated debates on migration.” This situation did not make integration any easier for them. Despite the harsh reality they faced, “including racist violence in an increasingly polarized society, we also found places of refuge and people who welcomed us with open arms,” she says. These contrasts between hostility and good will shaped her early perception of Germany. For Schahina, Germany is a country full of contradictions that taught her that hope and challenge often go hand in hand.

Today, 30 years later, she looks back on her path during which she overcame a lot of challenges. The 32-year-old Schahina is a member of the Bundestag for Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, where she works at the heart of parliamentary democracy. “My goal is to fight for the rights of people like me: people experiencing racism and discrimination on a regular basis.”

For Schahina the path to being a Parliamentarian was not predetermined. After training to become an event manager and studying political science and economics, she found her political home with Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, “where I especially advocated for anti-racism, feminism, and inclusion right from the beginning. The racist and right-extremist terrorist attack in Hanau in 2020 was a turning point for me; it reinforced my decision to make politics my occupation and to fight for a society free of racism every day as my profession.”

Life in Germany has shown her that change is possible if one is willing to stand up for their beliefs. “I am rooted in the values of democracy and human rights.” Nonetheless, she does not forget her roots in Afghanistan, “which give me a perspective that I try to incorporate into my political work. Afghanistan it’s the country where I was born and which I wish to see prosper in the future.”

What Schahina appreciates about Germany is the freedom and opportunity to raise one’s voice and to be heard. However, what displeases her is the fact that racism and discrimination are still part of the everyday lives of so many people. “There is a huge need for action, not only on the part of politicians but by all of German society.”

As a Member of Parliament, Schahina strives to build bridges between cultures and between people. “I want my story to encourage others to pursue their paths, overcome barriers, and stand up for their rights. In the future, I see myself continuing to serve the community, fighting for a world in which race, color, ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, and sexual orientation no longer play a role in the perception of who we are and what we can achieve.”