Skopje: At the end of July, Skopje hosted the European Youth Olympic Festival, the biggest sporting event in North Macedonia. Among the 4,000 young athletes was 16-year-old Tahora Ismaili, a taekwondo athlete and refugee from Afghanistan who fled to Switzerland alone three years ago.

According to Deutsche Welle, Tahora Ismaili is living a story of perseverance and hope for women and girls in her home country. At just 16 years old, she has already faced numerous challenges, making her journey even more remarkable.

“I left my country when I was much younger, and I traveled a long path. I faced many difficult challenges on the way,” Ismaili shared, highlighting her experiences as a refugee and athlete. Her story aims to inspire others, particularly women and girls in Afghanistan, to overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.