Najiba Noori’s debut documentary, ‘Writing Hawa’, explores the life of her mother, Hawa, a woman striving for literacy and independence amid the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Married at 13 to a man thrice her age, Hawa now aims to learn to read and write, and start a textile business. The film also sheds light on Hawa’s granddaughter, Zahra, who seeks to continue her education but is ultimately forced into marriage for protection. The documentary poignantly captures the private struggles of Afghan women against the backdrop of the nation’s turmoil.