“Why is it that just because one is born a girl in this country, they have to pay a lifelong price?”
Mahbuba
“Before the arrival of the Taliban, I was living a life filled with hopes and dreams. I had the privilege of being a student, preparing for the university entrance exam with unwavering enthusiasm. My dreams were ambitious, as I aspired to become a midwife. I was eager to acquire skills that would enable me to serve women in remote and underserved areas. My ultimate goal was to contribute to reducing maternal mortality and to improving health-care access for Afghan mothers.
Despite the Taliban’s presence and control over Afghanistan, I managed to overcome the obstacles in my path and succeeded in passing the university entrance exam for the midwife training programme in Kabul. My dream was within reach, but the Taliban had other plans.
They barred my entry to the university campus. I remember vividly that one of the girls, in order to enter the university, tried to go through the main university gate. The Taliban, in a violent manner, turned her away from the gate and threatened to hit her with the butt of a rifle if she came any closer.
With the closure of university doors, I decided to explore other options. I applied for a scholarship to study in Türkiye. To complete the application process, I had to travel to Kabul with my mother. Our journey was filled with uncertainty and fear. During our nighttime journey, at 10 PM, the Taliban intercepted our vehicle. Their presence brought an immediate sense of dread, especially when they inquired about our male guardian. It was just my mother and me, making the journey without a male companion. The Taliban militants confronted us, insisting that the absence of a male escort was a breach of their strict codes. In their attempt to assert control, they threatened to force us out of the vehicle.
The atmosphere inside the vehicle grew tense as the Taliban stood over us, discussing our fate. Their harsh words and the presence of their weapons intimidated us into silence. Eventually, the Taliban demanded a commitment from us: we had to pledge not to leave home without a male guardian in the future. They, in turn, allowed us to continue our journey towards our destination in Kabul.
