Aftershock of a Trauma

Zohal Nasrat was born in Pakistan as a refugee during the first Taliban regime in Afghanistan. In 2001, Zohal and her family returned to Kabul, with the establishment of a new government. Zohal's mother was a school teacher, and her father worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Due to the nature of her father's work, Zohal had the chance to visit countries such as Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Although these constant relocations exposed her to diverse cultures, it also meant adapting to new environments, schools, and people.

Upon returning from Turkmenistan, she successfully passed the university entrance exam and gained admission to the Journalism Faculty of Kabul University. Zohal's time in the university proved to be a life-changing experience, both personally and professionally. In collaboration with NAI, an organization supporting free media in Afghanistan, and Oslo University, she conducted research on the rights of Afghan journalists in non-governmental media across the country, engaging with over 100 journalists from 21 provinces.

Upon graduating from university, Zohal faced the challenge of coping with the loss of her father and primary supporter. A year after graduation, she embarked on a new chapter, working with an international humanitarian organization in Afghanistan, the Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, where she emerged as a storyteller. This role allowed her to travel to both urban and hard-to-reach areas of Afghanistan, honing her skills in visual storytelling.

In 2021, Zohal was accepted to Ohio University’s graduate program in Communication and Development studies with the support of the Fulbright Scholarship. It was here she began work on the Aftershock documentary. After graduation in 2023, Zohal began working for the International Rescue Committee, serving Afghan immigrants, in the Western US.