I want to do this work for the next generations : The Americans who are in international development , not to be the way they were in Afghanistan . And for the next generation of Afghans , to learn not to believe everyone ’ s promises and to be self-sufficient and collaborative .
a medical doctor . She was shocked by what she heard . They believed that if the young woman traveled abroad , she would become a prostitute . Looking the brother in the eyes , Mina said , “ You have studied , but you haven ’ t grown .”
Mina hired the young woman to work on her USAID project . As soon as she began earning an income , her status in the family changed completely . One day , the woman told Mina , “ You know , they respect me at home . Now I don ’ t have to wash the dishes or care for my younger siblings . When I come home , my food is ready .”
Throughout her work in Afghanistan and the surrounding countries , Mina gained profound insights into the challenges of development in the region where she grew up .
“ South Asian women face common challenges in a maledominated society . They all face a lack of social support and lack of political support . There is violence , nepotism , and corruption . I kept thinking that half of the population in that South Asian belt is paralyzed . And then you sit here in the Western world and say , ‘ Why is there insecurity ? Why are there terrorists ? Why is there drug dealing ? Why is there human trafficking ?’ When half of the population is paralyzed , what other outcomes do you expect ?”
Mina sees her work as critical to changing things in both America and Afghanistan . Although the return of the Taliban in 2021 made Mina a refugee for the second time in her life , she continues her work with refugees by supporting resettlement agencies as Afghans navigate their new realities in the United States . “ I want to do this work for the next generations : The Americans who are in international development , not to be the way they were in Afghanistan or any other developing country . And for the next generation of Afghans , it is imperative to grasp the lesson of not placing blind trust in every promise made and to be self-sufficient and collaborative ."
For Mina , serving on the Central Asia Institute Board helps to fulfill her desire to continue giving back and sharing her tremendous expertise and lived experiences . “ Everyone is so passionate about this cause . What I like about Central Asia Institute , it ’ s not just about Afghanistan . It ’ s Pakistan , Tajikistan , too . CAI has come a long way . Everybody is doing this work from their hearts .” •
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Mina is a Program Officer with the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants . She founded Excel consulting and has held key leadership roles in international development projects , including USAID ’ s Director of Business Association Development for Trade Show Support Activities and Director for the $ 40 million USAID Promote Women in Government ( WIG ) program , the largest women ’ s empowerment project in the world .
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