“My husband prevented me from attending school and the Taliban banned me from working”

Roya, a 20-year-old resident of Takhar, faced numerous challenges after the return of the Taliban. Unable to continue her education, she decided to open a beauty salon and has been employing four assistants for the past year.  

“I was forced into marriage at the tender age of 15. My husband subjected me to physical and mental abuse, and I was not allowed to visit my mother for over three years, leading her to develop heart problems.  

I suffered in silence while I was just a teenager, spending my days in the kitchen cooking and cleaning while I wanted to go to school and study. But my husband and his family didn’t allow it.  

The post-divorce depression and the harassment from people were deeply disturbing. Even my ex-husband continued to threaten me after the divorce, but my primary concern was my inability to attend school. I didn’t mind the divorce because it freed me from a forced marriage, but I found myself trapped in another form of imprisonment – lack of access to education and work. 

After the Taliban banned girls from school, I became so depressed. To come out from it, I participated in [online] therapy sessions. I also started a new job as an assistant at a beauty parlour.  

I then borrowed 400 afghanis to open my own beauty parlour and it was like a new window of hope had been opened for me. But it didn't last very long because the Taliban’s decree forced the closure of beauty parlours.  

I have continued to work covertly from home, even though I’m worried that this might not be sustainable. Four other girls also work with me who make a living through this job, and I hope we can keep our business going in hiding.  

If our voices are not heard, we will face a dreadful fate. Many mothers and children are dying, and countless children are living without proper shelter. The international community must listen to the voices of Afghan women.