I WAS MOSTLY IN CONTACT WITH WOMEN AND WHEN THEY LOST THEIR JOBS AND I COULDN’T DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS, THIS MADE ME VERY DEPRESSED

“Before the Taliban takeover, I was a teacher. Besides teaching, I also undertook human rights activities as a women’s rights activist and as Advocacy Officer for a rural NGO.

Currently, I am also a teacher. Although my civic activities have been officially halted, I continue to do these activities unofficially. I am in contact with active women and active informal organizations.

When a system changes, there are many changes that come. I saw changes in the amount of my salary, because I am a teacher in private schools. Another change was in my mood, as I got depression.

Women’s participation in society and women’s rights are very important to me.

Since the Taliban takeover, we have not been able to do something well and tell people the results. We can only unofficially record the events that happen in our society and report them to active institutions.

The only thing that can be done for women in this situation is to raise their awareness. Anyone can work alongside a woman, either online or in person, to inform them of their rights. For those who are left out of school, we can cooperate with them. At the moment, there is no one in Afghanistan with much income who can help women financially. The only thing that can be done is to support women by raising their awareness of their rights and informally teaching women who are left out of school.

My message to the international community is not to leave the women of Afghanistan alone. Do not leave us alone in this situation and cooperate with us in any way possible.”