From refugee to artist: Hafiza Qasimi receives big prize in Rostock!

From refugee to artist: Hafiza Qasimi receives big prize in Rostock!

Young people in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania show remarkable commitment - this is also proven by the awarding of the “Young Commitment for a World MV” award. One of the award winners is 26-year-old Hafiza Qasimi, who fled Afghanistan as an artist and women's rights activist. The prize, which is endowed with 500 euros each, was awarded in the Rostock town hall at the opening event of the “weltwechsel” series, which aims to link global issues with the region. Hafiza plans to create an artist collective that empowers women and girls and gives them a voice. According to NDR reports that the “Youth Speaks” initiative, which is also committed to the integration of refugees, is organizing important actions.

Hafiza has already opened an exhibition entitled “Art in the Midst of War,” which tackles issues such as forced marriage and the ban on girls going to school under Taliban rule. The exhibition can be viewed in Rostock on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. until March 31, 2026. Since her escape, she has been painting works that document the lives of women and children in Afghanistan. She impressively described these experiences in the interview with Katapult MV, and her brother Anosh, who came to Germany in 2015, supported her during this time.

Escape and persecution

Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, the situation for women in Afghanistan has deteriorated dramatically. The current BAMF country report documents the systematic disenfranchisement of women, who have little access to education and health care. Massive violence and social exclusion are the order of the day and people's rights are severely restricted by strict dress codes and work bans. In the future, women will only be allowed to leave the house if accompanied by a male relative, which will restrict their mobility and thus any form of freedom, according to reports on the women's rights situation in Afghanistan on Frauenrechte.de.

The constitution, which came into force under Taliban rule, even requires full veiling and drastically restricts women's public life. In this context, maternal mortality has risen to one of the highest in the world. Many women have no choice but to take medication without a doctor's prescription, which poses health risks. Professional opportunities for women are also almost closed off, which means that many become financially dependent. The closure of women's shelters and relevant courts has virtually eliminated protection against violence.

A new beginning in Germany

Hafiza Qasimi managed to escape these horror scenarios. After fleeing Afghanistan, followed by a stay in Iran, where she experienced discrimination based on her gender and origin, she finally received a visa through a federal government admissions program. Her art becomes a tool to draw attention to the conditions in her homeland and to give women there a voice. In the future, she plans to learn German and start training or studying to realize her vision of a stronger, independent life for women and girls.

The story of Hafiza Qasimi not only symbolizes the struggle of many women from Afghanistan, but also the solidarity that is lived by the young generation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Your award-winning initiative could be an important example for other refugees and a call to support women's rights worldwide. Regional support is very important to Hafiza, and events like “weltwechsel” promote awareness of global issues such as survival under the Taliban regime.

The challenges are enormous, but with a strong network and a tireless will to bring about change, Hafiza and her colleagues are well on their way to helping and empowering women in need.