Steve McCurry • Afghan Girl with Green Shawl, Peshawar, Pakistan, 2002

Steve McCurry’s 2002 photograph Afghan Girl with Green Shawl, taken in Peshawar, Pakistan, captures the intense gaze of a young Afghan girl, distinct from his famous image of Sharbat Gula. In this portrait, the girl’s piercing eyes draw the viewer in, filled with a depth and resilience that speaks to the hardships faced by Afghan refugees. Her green shawl, loosely draped over her head, frames her face and contrasts with her deep, somber expression. Unlike the iconic Afghan Girl image from 1984, which features Gula’s fiery green eyes against a vibrant red background, this portrait offers a softer, more introspective tone. McCurry’s lens captures the quiet strength and vulnerability of this girl, reflecting the ongoing challenges and resilience of displaced Afghans in the region. Through this compelling portrait, McCurry once again gives a voice to the marginalized, providing a window into their enduring spirit and humanity.