“The world seems to have forgotten us, but the courage and fight is in our blood to persist”

Mehrma

Poet and writer, Logar

A woman waters flowers growing in cut-out plastic bottles on a brick wall.

“My name is Mehrma, and I was born into an average family in Logar Province. I am currently 23 years old. Before the Taliban came to power, I worked in an office. However, since their takeover, I’ve been unemployed, spending my days teaching the Quran to girls at home. The rise of the Taliban left me deeply saddened, as we had heard much about them from our parents and elders.

With the return of the Taliban, my dreams were shattered and my nightmares became a harsh reality. Universities and schools closed, denying women and girls the right to education, freedom and work, which has been distressing for me. The closing of educational opportunities for girls, in a male-dominated society with challenging economic, security and social conditions in Afghanistan, led my family to propose marriage to my cousin. However, I am not prepared for it, and I fear what my fate might be.

As the Taliban assumed power again, family struggles in Afghan society have increased, and we have found ourselves back in a period of ignorance and darkness. The persistence of these conditions has crushed my spirit, and I believe that it has buried all my aspirations in the ground.

I acknowledge the numerous challenges faced by women and girls in Afghan society, but I want to be strong. What motivates me to stand on my own feet is my love for my mother, my students and my books.

For this reason, I have resolved to write about everything that has been happening to me, to women, girls and children in my country during this time. I will try to express most of my writing in the form of poetry and prose, and I want to create a work that lets everyone know what we, as Afghan women and girls, have endured and how we are coping with these conditions.

Continuing through virtual platforms, I organize literary programmes, recite poetry and exchange ideas with other artists.

With the rise of the Taliban, restrictions have reached their peak. The world seems to have forgotten us, but the courage and fight is in our blood to persist. May God hear my plea for brave women in our land: Be strong. Fight. We are the mothers of the future, and we must be strong to become role models for the generations to come.

My message is clear: support us, not just with slogans but with actions. Treat us as human beings and may those who oppose us treat us with humanity and not deprive us of our rights.”

“The torture and terror of that moment are unforgettable … a black nightmare every night”

A young woman in a facemask and green veil sits in her home.