Born and raised in Kabul, Afghanistan, Zhala Sarmast recently graduated from Yale-NUS College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Physical Sciences, with a concentration in Chemistry, and a minor in philosophy. She is the co-author of two books, Redefining the Rules and #MyVoice (Vol. 7), and an active member of Afghanistan's National Women's Cycling team. Zhala is also a passionate musician, and she advocates for social change through her diverse interests.
Currently the Communications, Technical Content & Marketing Strategist at SepPure Technologies in Singapore, Zhala spoke to HerStory's Communications Manager last week. She walked us through her inspiring journey, sharing how she balanced her busy schedule as a school student in Kabul, pursuing high academic dreams with her love for music, media, and cycling, amongst other responsibilities.
Zhala joined the Afghanistan Cycling Team in 2013, initially unaware of its existence as the team kept a low profile due to safety concerns. She learned about it and was introduced to the team while attending a concert and cultural event at the French Institute in Kabul. Despite initial reluctance from her family due to the country’s security situation, she eventually made it to the team.
"I did not know the team existed because, back then, there was only a little coverage. The team also kept a low profile, at least around 2013, understandably because of all the safety concerns and issues associated with women’s sports. There used to be a lot of concerts and cultural programs in Kabul around that time. I was attending the Sound Central Festival when I went to backstage to explore and see what was going on. There were many booths and organizations representing their work when I encountered the cycling team. I was pleasantly surprised and tried to learn more about it. I was, then, introduced to the coach and was surprised that this team was active." - Zhala Sarmast
Cycling was arguably considered a taboo for girls at the time, and thus, it was not openly welcomed by many around the city. Thus, Zhala and her team were constantly training in the outskirts of the city and districts, such as Salang and Bagram to avoid crowds and potential attacks from people.
Zhala later made it to the national team, and she participated in many national and international competitions, including the South Asia Championships in India, the L’Albigeoise in France, and the Afghan Women’s Road Championship in Switzerland, amongst many others. Due to her demanding academic and professional life, the Afghan Women’s Road Championship was the last competition in which Zhala took part, but she hopes to restart her sports activities soon.
Zhala's diverse interests in sciences, sports, media, and music have profoundly shaped her career path and current endeavors. Thinking back upon her journey, she reflects on the privileges she had in pursuing her passions, acknowledging the limited opportunities many girls face in Afghanistan. Recognizing the impact even small acts can have, Zhala emphasizes the importance of advocating for women's rights and leveraging one's platform to empower others, particularly in scarce opportunities.
Sahar: How has your diverse range of interests, from sciences to sports to media and music, influenced your career path and the work you do today, particularly your focus on women empowerment?
Zhala: I am at the very beginning of my professional career, and for sure, all my activities have influenced what I do today. Growing up, I was immensely inspired by my family’s deep involvement in media and television, and that’s how I started growing an interest in media and journalism. I later worked with National TV, Ariana News, Zawia Media, and many other media outlets which expanded my views and interests. At the same time, I gradually developed an interest for the hard sciences, particularly chemistry and physics, which are the subjects I, then, pursued in college. Given that I had a strong background in media and journalism, and was passionate about the hard sciences at the same time, I was lucky enough to land a job that allowed me to concentrate on both. Sports and music have also always been of great importance to me. My family has always been deeply involved in music and protecting the musical heritage of Afghanistan. For instance, my grandfather Ustad Saleem Sarmast founded Afghanistan’s first symphony orchestra amongst his many other historical accomplishments. Later, after the first Taliban regime had silenced the country for years, my uncle returned to Afghanistan as the first Afghan to ever earn a PhD in music. He founded Afghanistan’s National Institute of Music (ANIM), talking about which is beyond the scope of our interview. So, although music has been a passion I’ve been mostly pursuing on the sidelines, it is something that has run in my family and that I love very deeply. So, I think one way or another, all of my engagements and activities have shaped the path I am pursuing today, but, like I said, I am at the very beginning of trying to figure out my career path, and I am, thus, trying to navigate through all my activities to see if I can consolidate them in the best possible way.
About women's empowerment and activities of social impact, I think we all need to try to commit to such initiatives regardless of where we are, who we are, and what we do. Observing the situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women, should be sufficient enough for us to learn that we need to speak up for human rights. No matter what we do, those of us who have had the opportunity to get a good education or find employment or other opportunities abroad have a lot to give back to our community. Unfortunately, Afghanistan is in such an indescribable place today that even the smallest contribution makes the biggest impact, and we need to be cautious not to overlook that.
Zhala was also a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for her exceptional efforts and dedication to empowering women through sports in Afghanistan.
Zhala: We were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for our efforts to empower women through sports. I see great potential in the power of sports. When I first joined Afghanistan’s National Cycling Federation, it was incredibly challenging. Every training session came with its set of challenges involving verbal abuse and physical attacks. Some of these attacks have been so severe that they have even left some of my teammates living with life-long injuries. Regardless, when I fast forward to 8 years later after I joined the team, I see the great impact that we had as a team. If we compare 2013 to 2021, we’d see great change. By 2021, we had many girls riding bicycles for fun or as a means of transportation. It was much more normal than when we first started. We can also observe similar progress in different areas in Afghanistan.
Sahar: Definitely! The cycling and other teams, like the women's football team in Afghanistan, brought significant changes in our communities and instilled hope in our people, particularly our girls, enabling them to envision participation in such endeavors. Moving to the next question, how did you and do you now balance your interests and responsibilities, such as cycling, music, and your professional career?
Zhala: It was definitely not easy. When I think back of my high school years in Afghanistan, I cannot believe that I managed to focus on so many things. As a student, I would wake up at 4:30 AM for my cycling training. By 7:30, I had to be at the Goethe Institute for my German language classes. I would then go to school by 9, end school by 2:00, and go to Ariana News where I worked by 3:00 pm. I worked until 9:00 pm. When I returned back by 9:30 pm, I would study for a few hours, do my homework, and rest. It was very difficult, but because the impact was tangible and I enjoyed the work, I loved every second of it all.
I think I still struggle with trying to balance all of these activities. It is difficult to manage three significantly big goals each of which requires a lifetime of commitment. I think I know that the key is prioritizing, and I have done that to an extent, but I am still trying to learn to navigate through this.
Zhala has also co-authored My Voice Volume 7, where her story focuses more on her work for Afghanistan. She wanted to keep Afghanistan in the spotlight amidst all the challenges and at a time when the country has been pushed to the sidelines. Zhala finds it crucial to keep talking about Afghanistan, raising our voices for what matters, and highlighting human rights violations.
The more we talk about it, the better. We have a platform that millions of women in Afghanistan do not have, and it's our responsibility to use it to raise awareness and hopefully make an impact. - Zhala
Music has been a powerful and influential tool not only in promoting social justice but also in bringing Afghan people together, especially after the collapse of the Taliban's first rule in 2001 and before their return to power in 2021.
Zhala elaborates on the intersection between music and social activism by drawing upon Afghanistan's musical landscape over the past few decades. She highlights music's potential to positively impact society, serving as a tool that fosters healing. However, she also laments the current state in Afghanistan, where music, despite its therapeutic power, is illegal and banned.
"And if we take a look at the impact that music has had historically, and particularly after the first Taliban regime, we can see the substantial impact it had across Afghanistan in bringing people together & nurturing talents and career paths. Following the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, Afghanistan experienced a significant revival of its musical traditions and achievements. Afghan musicians, both those who had remained in the country and those returning from exile, worked incredibly hard to restore and advance the nation’s rich musical heritage. The establishment of institutions like the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) was a key moment in this cultural revival. ANIM provided comprehensive music education and became a symbol of hope and progress across the nation. Additionally, the country’s groundbreaking musical achievements were historical highlights, such as the formation of the Zohra Orchestra, the first all-female orchestra in Afghanistan, which gained international acclaim and showcased the resilience and talents of Afghan women, consequently, the country also made history by being the region’s first nation nurturing female orchestra conductors. These efforts have been recognized internationally, and hence were awarded many prestigious awards, such as the Polar Music Prize in 2018, often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Music”. Beyond ANIM, the Afghan music scene saw a flourishing of talent and innovation through various platforms and programs. Television shows like "Afghan Star" and “The Voice Afghanistan”, popular singing competitions, provided a stage for aspiring musicians to showcase their talents and reach national fame. The show not only entertained but also inspired a new generation of artists, promoting diverse musical styles and enabling a sense of unity and national pride. Unfortunately, years later, Afghan people are once again facing a similar oppressive reality. Music is banned, and those who listen to or make music are threatened. Since the Taliban's takeover in 2021, many musicians have been killed, and many more have been forced to flee the country. Those who have sought refuge abroad are struggling to rebuild their lives from scratch, often without the resources to continue their musical careers. The trauma experienced during the previous Taliban regime is being relived, causing immense cultural and personal loss”, says Zhala Sarmast.
Zhala parallels the challenges faced in music with those in other realms, such as cycling, highlighting the common barriers of family dynamics, economic constraints, and social disparities.
Beyond her professional engagements, Zhala also finds joy and balance through her personal interests. She engages in activities such as cycling, drawing, and playing music with friends.
Sahar: Let's move beyond your professional life and explore your personal life. In your free time, tell us a little bit about your hobbies and interests.
Zhala: I cycle a lot in my free time. Unfortunately, though I love living in Singapore, the country is small and not ideal for cycling. I still do cycle. Then, of course, there is always music. I play quite a lot of music in my free time and sometimes get together with friends for it. I used to play music with my friends in Afghanistan, but unfortunately, now that we are scattered all around the world, the only way for us to make music together is virtually, so I try to do that sometimes as well. I also read quite a bit, draw, and try to explore new coffee shops.
Sahar: That is brilliant. Can you also briefly tell us about your family? How has your family influenced your journey, and if you name one person, who is the one person you admire the most?
Zhala: My family has been the cornerstone of my journey, providing unwavering support and invaluable encouragement at every step. I'm particularly grateful for the profound influence of two remarkable individuals: my mom and my uncle, Dr. Ahmad Sarmast. My mom, an electrical engineer by training, faced immense challenges as a single mother raising four children in Afghanistan after losing my dad to cancer when I was five. Her unwavering determination to provide us with the best opportunities despite the odds is a constant reminder of the resilience and bravery of Afghan women. Her life is a testament to the indomitable spirit that inspires me daily.
My other inspiration, my uncle Dr. Ahmad Sarmast, has left an indelible mark on my academic and personal choices. He has not only pursued his passion for music but has also dedicated himself to reviving Afghanistan's cultural heritage. After earning his PhD in music at Australia’s Monash University, he returned to Afghanistan and the impact of his work since his return is so significant that I could talk about it for days. His resilience, bravery, passion, and advice have constantly guided me forward.
Your strength, resilience, and courage are immeasurable. Remember that your voice, your dreams, and your rights matter deeply. Stay connected with one another, support each other, and hold onto hope. Make the world see you, stand with you, and believe in your power to inspire change.
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