Maliha Zulficar:
From The Loom To Leadership

Determined From The Start

Maliha was born into a middle-class family in District 7 of Kabul. When she was just one year old, polio cost her a leg. When civil war devastated Afghanistan, her family fled to Pakistan, where they lived in poverty. Through it all, Maliha held tightly to her education. She faced prejudice along the way, but her determination to learn – and to keep moving forward – never left her.

A CV And A Chance

Years later, the family returned to Kabul. Back home, Maliha continued to face discrimination because of her disability and spent much of her time indoors. With the encouragement of her family and close friends, however, she decided it was time to look for work. After hearing about FBMI through the media, Maliha decided to take a chance. She arrived to meet the Chairman with her CV in hand and was hired in the carpet-weaving department.

Rising Through The Initiative

It wasn’t long before Maliha’s ability and determination were noticed. She moved from carpet weaving into the administration department and, with support and financial assistance from FBMI, continued her higher education alongside her work.

Her ambitions kept growing, too. She later became an elected Senator in Afghanistan’s National Assembly.

A Voice For Others

Serving her country and speaking up for women, people of determination and those whose voices too often go unheard is something Maliha had dreamed of since childhood.

For her, that first job at FBMI became much more than employment. It gave her a starting point, and the space to show what she was capable of. Her story is a powerful example of what can happen when determination meets opportunity.