Afghan woman writes entrance exam while nursing her baby, goes viral

New Delhi: A heart-melting photograph has gone viral all for the right reasons, kindling hope in many to succeed in life. A 25-year-old Afghan woman, Jahan Taab, has become a role model for numerous Afghan women, as she wrote an entrance examination while holding her two-month-old baby in arms.

Jahan Taab was appearing in Kankor exam – for the social science course at Nasirkhosraw Higher Education Institute in Nilli, when her baby started crying, reported CNN. Yahya Erfan, the lecturer who was invigilating said that Taab then got up from her desk, sat cross-legged on the floor and went on to complete her paper, all the while nursing her baby.

As soon as the photograph was posted on Facebook by Erfan, it took the internet on a storm. It was also lauded on Twitter for Taab’s dedication and determination.

“This is the CHANGE. Very strong message MaShaAllah,” said a Twitter user. “These women have but two choices: submit or fight. The fighters are unfathomable courageous, but the ones that submit, often out of necessity or social pressure, also need support,” wrote another.

Taab, who is married to a farmer has three children and belongs to a poor family. Despite all the hurdles, she cleared the Kankor exam with 152 points and continued her study. Erfan told local Etilatrooz Daily that he was concerned over how Taab would pursue her dream as she belongs to a “poor family” and may not be able to afford the tuition fees that is around 10,000-12,000 Afghani (USD 143-172).

Meanwhile, a British organization -Afghan Youth Association- has initiated a GoFundMe page in support of Taab’s studies, calling her as a “role model to thousands of other Afghan women who face similar challenges.”