In 2013, Zainab made significant strides as a Senior Program Trainer with Women for Women International. There, she played a crucial role in helping women acquire vocational skills, understand their legal rights, and enhance their health knowledge. Her work was vital in empowering women in conflict-affected regions, fostering self-sufficiency, and building strong community networks. This early work laid the groundwork for her later achievements in sports and advocacy.

In 2015, Zainab participated in an ultramarathon through the "Free to Run" initiative, pushing the boundaries for female athletes. The following year, she achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first Afghan woman to complete a marathon in Bamyan. This accomplishment was a significant step forward for women's participation in sports within a society with substantial gender restrictions. That same year, she also traveled to Berlin for a UNOSDP-supported sports camp. These experiences underscored her belief in sports as a powerful catalyst for gender equality and leadership,

Her impactful contributions earned her the
Franco-German Afghan Woman of the Year Award in 2016.
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