As International Women’s Day approaches, Untamed Borders shares the journeys of remarkable women tour guides from Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Fatima Haidari - Afghanistan

Fatima Haidari, Afghanistan’s first female tour guide, initially led tours in Herat before having to seek safety abroad due to the Taliban’s resurgence. She now conducts virtual tours of Afghanistan, with proceeds directed toward educational initiatives for women in her homeland.

“Becoming a guide as a woman in Afghanistan was not just difficult: it was like a battle. People gave me strange looks, made discouraging comments, and many believed that guiding was not a job for a woman. But I kept going.” - Fatima Haidari

Javeria Anwar - Pakistan

In Pakistan, only three percent of the tourism workforce is female. Javeria Anwar shares her experiences battling social stigmas surrounding women traveling alone.

“It’s certainly not easy being the only child of conservative parents. However, if God has put something in you, then you must fight for it. If you don’t, you will always regret it.” - Javeria Anwar

Deka Hassan Abdi - Somaliland

Deka Hassan Abdi emphasizes the need to change misconceptions about Somaliland, where women are twice as likely to be unemployed compared to men, and expresses pride in promoting her country.

“Getting an opportunity to put my country out there is truly a blessing. Tourism is a way to rectify false images people have about Somaliland.” - Deka Hassan Abdi

Yasmine Benchikh - Algeria

Facing low employment rates for women in Algeria, Yasmine Benchikh aspires to contribute to a thriving tourism sector, advocating for better facilities to attract visitors.

“Tourism will connect Algeria to the world. I’m eager to learn more about guiding.” - Yasmine Benchikh

In conclusion, these pioneering women aim to inspire future generations of female tour guides and create lasting change in their communities.