Shaima was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. Since an early age she was involved with education. During the Taliban regime, she opened an in-house school to teach girls and women to read and write. Her professional achievements are numerous: she worked as an International Program Manager & Gender in the Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) and provided mentoring and training for the International Foundation for Electoral System (IEFS) in Kabul, Afghanistan. She was also a Gender Consultant for the Gender Unit at the Afghan Independent Election Commission, and worked as a Training Consultant for Women for Afghan Women (WAW). As an Evaluation Consultant for German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) Gender Mainstreaming Project in Kabul, she helped develop and evaluate gender programs through the Independent Afghan Civil Service Commission (IACSC). Prior to this experience Shaima also worked as an Executive Assistant to the Minister, in the Ministry of Higher Education, and Executive Assistant to the Minister, in the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, in Kabul.

Shaima is currently studying towards her M.A. in Political Science at The University of Montana. She previously earned her B.A. in International Studies and Political Science with focus on the Middle East/Islamic States, in Ramapo College, New Jersey USA. She is an active speaker and presenter, and she serves as an essential resources to DCLCP, the UM campus, and the Missoula community at large.