Women, Power, and the Push for Equality an Interview with Roya Mahboob

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What does it take to rise when the world tells you to stay down? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Roya Mahboob - visionary tech CEO, TIME 100 honoree. She is the force behind Afghanistan’s first all-girls robotics team - to talk about what it *really* means to lead with courage in the face of systemic oppression.

Roya’s story begins in a country where girls are often denied access to education, yet she found her calling in a “magic box” - a computer and went on to shatter barriers for thousands of young women through technology and education. From building IT centers in schools to founding the Digital Citizen Fund, Roya is rewriting the future for girls in Afghanistan and beyond.

We also dive into the emotional impact of Rule Breakers, the new documentary that chronicles her extraordinary rise, and reflect on what real leadership, allyship, and access can do when women are trusted to lead.

This episode is a call to action for everyone who believes in equality, opportunity, and the undeniable power of women. Don’t miss it.

About Roya Mahboob:

Roya Mahboob is the founder and CEO of Afghan Citadel Software and one of Afghanistan’s first female tech CEOs. Named to TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list, she’s known globally for her work creating digital access and educational opportunities for girls in conflict zones. Her nonprofit, The Digital Citizen Fund, has trained over 20,000 women in digital literacy. She also helped launch the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, which rose to global acclaim. Her journey is the subject of the critically acclaimed film “Rule Breakers”.

In this Episode:

• Roya’s early experiences with gender discrimination and digital discovery
• The story behind her first encounter with a computer—and why it changed everything
• Founding Afghanistan’s first female-led tech firm
• How she launched IT education programs and a robotics team for girls
• Overcoming death threats and navigating leadership in a high-risk environment
• The impact of *Rule Breakers* and what it felt like to see her story on-screen
• Her nonprofit, the Digital Citizen Fund, and the future of access
• Why male allies matter and how her father and brother shaped her journey
• The current state of girls’ education under Taliban rule—and her enduring hope for change

🔗 Links & Resources:

🌐 [www.digitalcitizenfund.org](http://www.digitalcitizenfund.org)

📲 [@roya.mahboob\_official](https://www.instagram.com/roya.mahboob_official)

🎬 [@rulebreakers](https://www.instagram.com/rulebreakers)

Pearl Mashour is a Master Women Empowerment Coach, Life Coach & Multiple Subject Credentialed Teacher.

Learn more about Pearl Mashour at www.femalefluence.com

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