The most important change in my life is that I could not continue my education

“I am the Executive Director of a non-governmental organization, a civil society activist and a member of the Human Rights Defenders Committee.

Before the Taliban came, I was working as a Justice Project Coordinator in the western zone. In addition to official work, I was responsible for a social association of citizens in my province, I was a member of the national advocacy committee, a deputy of the civil society working group in the western zone, deputy of the provincial trust network, and a member of numerous advocacy committees at local and country levels.

I started working as the head of office in June 2022. Besides my official work, I still do civil and social activities, of course. But since 24 December 2022, I have been working from home due to the restrictions.

The most important change in my life is that I could not continue my education. I had studied one semester of my Masters’ degree, but could not continue. I could also no longer work freely in the field of women, and the goals I had unfortunately all disappeared.

And we proceeded in the same way, with changing words, using religious teachings and changing our methods. We carried out our activities. We did advocacy with officials. We criticized less and we gave them more suggestions. This is the approach we’ve taken since the system was changed.

I hope that one day women will not only have a presence in the society, but also have an active, effective, and meaningful presence at all levels. I hope we will have women politicians, tradespeople, scholars and scientists, and that they will be able to obtain specialized degrees – so that no girl will be deprived of her education.

Support, in my opinion, is the only thing that can be effective for women right now. If each of us supports a woman or a girl – be it via financial support, be it through emotional support, be it with technical and professional support – the least we can do is start with women in our family, women in our work environment, or those around us.

My message is to take the voice of Afghan women and girls seriously. Listen to their voices and take practical measures. Express less concerns and regrets but stand by the women and girls of Afghanistan and protect their rights. These rights have been among the achievements of the Afghan people and the international community in the past 20 years. More than 40 countries had invested in Afghanistan, and they should at least protect these rights and not let them be violated.”