Maliha holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Malmö University, and two Master’s degrees in Asian Studies and Gender Studies from Lund University, Sweden. Currently, she is working as a Research Fellow in the Afghanistan Program at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Lund. In this role, she collaborates with other research fellows to support the mandate of the Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett on Human Rights in Afghanistan. Although she has temporarily paused her work on her third Master’s thesis in International Migration and Ethnic Relations (IMER), Maliha remains committed to completing it in the near future.
Maliha is dedicated to investigating the rights of Afghan women, particularly focusing on education and empowerment. Additionally, she delves into the marginalized position of ethnic groups, specifically the Uzbeks in Afghanistan, and the obstacles encountered by Muslim women. Her research delves into the intricate nature of intersecting identities and the vulnerabilities experienced by these women. Maliha underscores the significance of cultural values in formulating strategies to advocate for their rights and emphasizes the importance of preserving their supportive identities while striving for empowerment. Her work underscores the significance of upholding the integrity of intersecting identities when examining how these women overcome societal barriers and work towards equality and agency.
Maliha has been actively engaged as a research assistant on various projects within the SASNET South Asian Studies Network since 2020, affiliated with Lund University. She played a significant role in the cultural research project titled “Vad Hände Sedan” where she conducted interviews with Afghan participants, translated them into Swedish, and facilitated the informed consent process. She also contributed to the ‘CARE’ research project from 2022 to 2023,at Malmö University, which focused on the study of “Inequality and Wellbeing in Transnational Families in Europe.”
Maliha is a highly dedicated individual who is actively involved in community initiatives in Malmö, Sweden, while also pursuing her academic interests. Though she has recently stepped down from her leadership position in the Afghan Forum Afghanska Akademiska Kulturcentrum i Sverige due to her busy schedule, she continues to be an active member of the organization. Her primary focus is on promoting the integration of Afghan women in Malmö. Maliha is also associated with two UK-based NGOs, Rahela Trust and Omid International, both dedicated to promoting women’s right to education and empowering women from disadvantaged backgrounds to become leaders. Additionally, they encourage women’s participation in post-conflict peace-building efforts and are committed to advancing women’s empowerment globally. Furthermore, Maliha is a founder and the President of the International Afghan Enlightened Women organization, where she advocates for women’s rights and supports young girls in their pursuit of higher education in Afghanistan.
Overall, Maliha perceives her academic journey as a humble pursuit of knowledge while striving to make meaningful contributions both within academia and through community service.