Somea is 21 years old, from Kandahar city, and is a university student. She, recently, participated in City for All’s workshop on preparing a Strategic Municipal Action Plan (SMAP) for Kandahar City hosted by Kandahar Municipality. The workshop was held, with the technical assistance from UN-Habitat, in order to understand the needs, priorities and expectations of Kandahar City’s residents for a viable, developed and prosperous future. Stating in her presentation, Somea emphasized the need for women inclusion in the society and the city in general. She said,

“We do not have places to go for picnics with our families or friends. We do not feel safe. We are not allowed to hang around in public spaces; the culture and society, which is male dominated, abstain us from going to these places”.

She faces similar problems in her university as well. “There is no space for women in our university; a green place or place for coffee”.

She tried to change the situation, and with her friends, tried to open a coffee and burger shop for women only, but she wasn’t allowed by the society to initiate her own business.

To bring about a positive change, Somea is keen to learn about City for All programme and wants to contribute She said, “It is important to build more schools for girls both primary and high schools.” She wants to promote girls’ education and want to change the perception about girls’ education in Kandahar”. She hopes that more men would support girls’ education like her father supported her even though he was not educated. Her three sisters and two brothers are all studying.