Azada wanted to be her country's 'best doctor', but then the Taliban took over

Azada, a 28-year-old medical doctor from Afghanistan, dreams of becoming her nation's top doctor. However, the rise of the Taliban in 2021 has drastically altered her life and career prospects. Under the strict rule of the Taliban, women are banned from most forms of employment and education, and are required to wear burqas in public.

Azada, who communicates with her friend Alison in Tasmania through text and video calls, is unable to practice medicine due to the Taliban's oppressive regime. Despite this, Azada has found a way to resist by secretly teaching medicine to young girls, who are banned from attending school. The Taliban's harsh conditions have made daily life extremely difficult for women, who are denied basic freedoms and must navigate a culture of violence and intimidation.

Alison, who grew up in the UK with free education and healthcare, has been supporting Azada financially to help her continue providing medical care to the young girls in secret. Despite the constant threat of violence and economic hardship, Azada refuses to give up on the dreams of Afghan girls, and continues to teach them medicine one-on-one from her home.