“Although my parents didn’t want us to participate in these protests, they understood that if we didn’t, we would die at home”

“My name is Manizha, and I’m 27 years old. I recently completed my master’s degree in Iran. Upon returning to my homeland, I started working in one of the media outlets in the country. Unfortunately, with the arrival of the Taliban, our media outlet was shut down, and all the staff lost their jobs. 

For the days I stayed at home, I told myself that I shouldn’t remain silent and should participate in protests against this misogynistic group. With the help of my friends, we formed a protest group. On the first day of the protests, we raised our voices for Afghan women. My sisters and I, along with many other women, chanted slogans demanding bread, work and freedom for Afghan women. 

It wasn’t long before the Taliban arrived and used whatever they had in their hands to beat and disperse the female protesters. I realized that they were getting close to us, and my sister, who was a little taller than the rest of us, shouted the slogans louder. The Taliban attacked her with their weapons. I managed to rescue her from the Taliban and took her to the hospital. Her entire body was bruised and one of her teeth was broken. 

As long as my sister and I kept returning to protest, the blood in their veins would freeze. Still, they didn’t say anything again because they knew we were demanding our rights and the rights of Afghan women. 

Due to my daily participation in the protests, the Taliban identified me. To avoid potential detention and to protect my other family members, my family relocated me to another part of the city. They apologized and asked me not to participate in the protests for some time, for the safety of the rest of the family.