Afghan artist defies all odds

Afghan artist Robaba Mohammadi is unable to use her hands, arms or legs. She has had to fight for her success. Discrimination against women and disabled people is common in Afghanistan.

Mohammadi was denied the right to go to school but taught herself to paint holding a brush in her mouth. Now she’s 19 and she creates complex and bright images, which are sold and shown worldwide.

Data shows that 1.5 million people in Afghanistan live with a disability. However, there’s little support for them and they frequently experience discrimination. Mohammadi set up her own training centre to help disabled people become artists.

Mohammadi was born disabled and, unable to use her hands, arms and legs, she wasn’t allowed to attend school. However, she taught herself to paint, read and write, and now writes on social media with her tongue. Like many teenagers, she also enjoys doing her makeup with friends. Weniger anzeigen