Maryam Halimi is a courageous and determined young woman from Bamyan, Afghanistan, who made history as the first female business owner in the province. She opened a restaurant in a society where business is controlled by men, proving that women can also succeed.

Back in high school, Halimi was a teenage representative in the Afghanistan Parliament. That experience sparked her desire for independence. She was also a civil activist for women’s and children’s rights.

“I was in my first year of college in Bamyan when I decided I wanted my own business,” she recalled. With determination, she opened Shadokht Maryam Restaurant, where all employees were women.

“It wasn’t just about me; it was about helping other women support themselves and follow their dreams,” she said. “Being the only female restaurant owner among men made me proud.”

But everything changed in August 2021, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. They banned women from working outside their homes, forcing Halimi to close her restaurant. Worse, she and her employees received threats—reopening meant serious danger. A week after the threats were sent, Halimi and her father went to collect their belongings.

“It was my greatest achievement since my first year of college,” she said, her voice filled with emotion. “Now, tears come to my eyes every time I pass by my restaurant.”

Yet, Halimi refused to give up. A few months later, she found a new purpose: helping children without access to education. She founded the Kindness Umbrella to Defend Afghan Children, supporting more than 60 child laborers and orphans aged 8 to 14.

These children, who once had no hope, now learn English, Dari, and Pashto, as well as math.

“When I sit with my students and talk to them, I see hope in their eyes, a hope for a better future,” she said.

Despite the struggles, Halimi continues to stand up for women’s rights and education. She works with organizations that support displaced women and children, striving to provide learning materials and create safe spaces for education.

Halimi strongly believes that staying silent and doing nothing will not lead to change. “I believe in the power of knowledge. If we prepare the next generation with education, they will overcome oppression,” she said. “Education is the key to building a better society and creating an intelligent generation.”