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"I’m the first dane with an Afghan background who has been elected in Parliament"

"I’m the first dane with an Afghan background who has been elected in Parliament"

My name is Samira Nawa and I am 31 years old. I am a member of the Danish Parliament representing the Danish Social Liberal Party - and I’m the first dane with Afghan background elected in Parliament. I live in Denmark with my husband Naweed and our two children Zaki (6 y/o) and Sofia (2 y/o).

For as long as I remember I’ve had the eager to make a change for those who couldn’t raise their voices themselves. I’ve been active in politics since I was 15 years old but I was even younger when I first became chairperson of the student council at my school. From a young age I became aware of the power of good arguments. I was able to make a change for my fellow students by speaking up.

I believe that if you have a talent then you should make it your duty. Politics is my duty.

My career is as important to my husband as it is to me. And being there for our children is as important to my husband as it is to me. So in our family it is not me balancing between motherhood and career on my own - we are two adults taking that responsibility. But sure, it has its price - and for now my husband and I ‘pay’ by spending less time together.

Being in politics you need to bare in mind one thing and that is to not overthink your decisions - just do it. Politics is a male dominated field and I believe that women tend to think too long before taking decisions.

In politics thats a problem since a decisions isn’t getting any better (or worse) if taken 5 hours later, but you will loose the opportunity to make an impact on other parts of the decisions because you were too late making up your mind in the first place.

I’ve always been working in male dominated fields - but I still practice not to overthink. I want to have made a real difference for people - especially those who cannot raise their voices themselves.

Samira Nawa, Danish Social Liberal Party

Photo by: Aske Ejby