“I see these challenges as opportunities to grow and become stronger”

Sadaf

Writer, Kapisa

“My name is Sadaf and I’m 18 years old. My journey into the world of writing began when I was nearly 15 years old. I was motivated to use the power of words to address the challenges faced by women.

In our household, only my father could read and write. I had no one to encourage me in my passion for writing. In fact, my father was a firm opponent of my writing ambitions. He always said: ‘Use your talents elsewhere, you won’t get anywhere with storytelling’. He told me that I would earn nothing from it and that writing would land me in jail. I wanted to write about the Taliban and raise the voice of women and what they are experiencing in Afghanistan, but my father never let me do that and he beat me.

Nevertheless, I wanted my father’s support. I needed him to see the potential in me because I firmly believed that writing was a divine gift that wasn’t given to everyone. I was convinced that I had to cherish this blessing. Therefore, despite the lack of encouragement, I never gave up on my dream of becoming a writer. Although I faced many family problems and the pressures of life, I persevered.

I remember burning my stories several times [so no one would find them], but that never made me give up on my dream. On the contrary, it had the opposite effect. Over time, as I faced life’s challenges, I developed a deeper reason for writing that allowed me to think differently and write better stories.

I encountered difficulties, including financial constraints that made buying a computer impossible. Still, I persevered, writing and reading by the dim light of a small lamp into the early hours of the morning. I might not have been born under a lucky star, but I consider myself a resilient young girl. Challenges are what I embrace, and I firmly believe that nothing can deter me from my dreams.

I also started tailoring and making clothes for people to be self-reliant and not depend on anyone, not even my parents. My goal has always been to make my parents proud through my work and art. I want to be their strength, not a burden. Although my father never openly expressed pride in me, I take pride in myself. My mother is my unwavering support.

I’m not someone who gives up when things get tough. Instead, I see these challenges as opportunities to grow and become stronger. I’ve faced a lot of difficulties because of the Taliban. They’ve brainwashed my father with false ideas about Islam and women’s duties. Now my father doesn’t treat me well because I want to raise my voice for my rights. I’ve cried and felt really down at times. But I’ve never lost hope.

My journey as a writer began with the publication of my first work of fiction, A Memento Doll, and I’m determined to continue without looking back.

My message to all Afghan women is this: Keep hope in your hearts, and never give up on your dreams. Think about how a diamond and coal are made of the same stuff, but the difference is in how much pressure they can handle. We, as women, can choose whether to become like diamonds, strong and brilliant, or stay like coal.”

“I even attempted suicide during my pregnancy”