I/Me
2025 – Ongoing
This series is a visual investigation into a generation of young Afghan-Norwegian women—a generation I belong to—navigating the space between inherited tradition and personal freedom.
Moving away from polarized narratives that cast Afghan women as either passive victims or exceptional heroes, this work insists on the right to be ordinary. These portraits capture individuals in their full human complexity, taking up space on their own terms.I have photographed these women without staged symbols, allowing their gaze and posture to lead the narrative. By pairing each portrait with the women’s own words, I give them total ownership of their stories; as a member of this generation myself, my camera acts as an extension of our collective voice—a polyphonic portrait of a generation actively negotiating its own independence.
"I am an Afghan-Norwegian woman who has called Norway home for 17 years. For a long time, I defined my place here by how well I adapted—learning the language, following the norms, and becoming a part of the culture.
But growing up between two worlds was rarely simple. At times, I felt so Norwegian that I feared I was losing my roots. It felt right to belong, yet conflicting, because my heart has always held a different starting point. Other times, I felt the distance from Norwegian society and a profound need to protect my own roots.
Today, I no longer choose one over the other. I see how every choice—big and small—has shaped me into the woman I am. I carry both cultures with pride, realizing that knowing my roots is what allows me to stand firm. This balance isn't a struggle anymore; it is my strength."
-Yasaman Rajabi
"My name is Durdane, and I came to Norway when I was eight years old. The day we flew here felt surreal. I could hardly believe I was going to Norway—it felt like a level of luck that wasn't possible—but it was real. One of my clearest memories is looking out the plane window at the lush, green landscape below. I remember asking my mother if we could visit those beautiful fields I saw from the sky.
Now, 18 years later, Norway is my home. Growing up here with a multicultural background hasn't always been easy. Navigating the different expectations of two cultures, and trying to live up to both, has been a challenge. Yet, I have always possessed a strong desire to explore the world and seek out experiences beyond what was right in front of me.
I have always loved being active—sports, traveling, and exploring—but these interests often clashed with traditional norms regarding how a girl "should" behave. There have been many battles along the way, but standing up for myself was essential. The choices I have made—such as serving in the Armed Forces and pursuing a career path that defies traditional gender roles—have shaped me into who I am. These experiences taught me the value of owning my choices and trusting my own path.
Today, I feel grateful for the freedom I have to live my dreams."
- Durdane Rezia
"Throughout my political career, I’ve often been praised for the work I do, despite being an Afghan woman. I however never understood why that’s surprising or why anyone would see it as contradictory. The motivation and fire I carry within me as a young Norwegian-Afghan woman are inherited from a long line of strong and brave women.
My mother and my grandmothers have not only given me their hair colour and eyes, but also their courage and drive. And I feel most like my mother’s daughter when I’m at my strongest and when I dream the highest.
That’s what being an Afghan woman means to me. We carry resistance in our hearts wherever we go and no one can ever take that away from us."
-Nilofar Noori
"Even though I live between two cultures, I no longer feel the pressure to satisfy both. I used to feel like I constantly had to prove something—that I was "enough" here and "correct" there. Now, I have come to realize that I don’t need to choose a side to be whole.
The values I grew up with are part of my foundation; they are in my spine, in the way I show respect, and in how I view family and responsibility. They are a part of me, and I will never deny them.
At the same time, I have given myself permission to shape my own values, ask my own questions, and make choices that feel true to me—not just right in the eyes of others. This doesn’t mean I have rejected where I come from. It simply means I no longer live in fear of disappointing others by walking my own path.
I choose my own direction now, even when it is difficult. In that choice, I have found a peace I never had before—a quiet confidence that the life I am building is actually mine."
-Mariam Khawari
"Twenty years of life with opportunities vs. twenty years of missing Afghanistan.
Twenty years with the freedom to go to school, play sports, build a career, and travel vs. twenty years without family, friends, and the traditions of my homeland.
Twenty years with the freedom to show my face to the world, to dress as I choose, and to build my own identity vs. twenty years of seeing Afghanistan through a screen—watching the reality of war and the restrictions placed on women."
-Somayeh Gaznawi
"I am an Afghan-Norwegian woman who has lived in Norway since the age of three. Growing up, I navigated two worlds: the stories, traditions, and faith of my Afghan home, and the language and values of Norwegian society.
Choosing to wear the hijab in my youth made my identity more visible. While I encountered both respect and prejudice, these experiences taught me to stand firm and take pride in my background. I realized I didn't have to choose one culture over the other; I am both, and this duality has made me stronger and more empathetic.
Today, I work as a Social Educator, a role where I use my cross-cultural background to meet people with patience and reflection. Outside of work, I find my balance at the gym, with friends, and through travel. For me, exploring the world is a way to continue my lifelong journey of understanding the diverse cultures that shape who we are."
-Khatimeh Sadeghi
"I started working at sixteen—not because I had to, but because I needed to stand on my own feet. While independence wasn’t always the easiest path for a young girl in my community, for me, it wasn’t just a choice; it was a necessity.
At twenty, I moved out. It was a decision marked by loneliness, responsibility, and uncertainty, but I held my ground. I have now lived independently for ten years—a decade filled with challenges and exhaustion, but also immense growth and self-discovery.
There were many moments when I could have given up, but I never surrendered my independence. Ten years ago, choosing this life required a courage that is perhaps easier to find today. I am proud of myself—not because the journey was easy, but because it was hard, and I never stopped. This path has shaped me, and I wouldn’t change a single step."
-Asia Subhani