Hamdam magazine founder passes away

MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Monisa Hamdam, the founder and publisher of Hamdam magazine has passed away due to illness at a Pakistani hospital.

Her husband Nasibullah Ayubi confirmed the death of Hamdam, who was also a member of the National Union of Journalists in northern Faryab, on his Facebook page.

In 2017, when she was still a 10^th grader at the Star High School in Maimana, she founded the Hamdam magazine to enlighten society and amplify the voices and activities of women.

She worked alongside a group of young people to realise her vision. Recently, she obtained a licence for the Hamdam Development and Capacity-Building Institute from the Ministry of Justice.

News of her passing has been met with deep sorrow from educators, local journalists, women and young people, with many calling her demise an irreplaceable loss, particularly for the media and women's rights.

Naseer Tayyar, who served as the managing editor of the magazine for three years, said her death was a profound loss not only for the media community but also for women.

He added, "During the three years I worked for Hamdam, I witnessed her tireless efforts to promote the growth and empowerment of women.

“The magazine, with a circulation of 1,000 copies, was distributed across Faryab, Jawzjan and Balkh provinces, and much of its content highlighted the voices and challenges faced by women.”

Hangama Qasemi, an educated woman, said Monisa Hamdam had high aspirations for enlightening and empowering society, especially women.

Farakh-ul-Aqa Onchizada, a women’s rights activist, said, “Hamdam, a young woman from Faryab who began writing at an early age, founded the magazine and established the Hamdam Development and Capacity-Building Institute. She was an exceptionally talented and creative individual.”

sa/mud