Beijing+30 Youth Blog: Silent voices of Afghan women
Date:
Author: Fatana*[i]
Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are deprived of education and women are banned from working. It’s time to reconsider the international community´s silence in the face of this harsh injustice.
During the first Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, Afghan women endured severe restrictions and were deprived of fundamental rights. Girls were barred from school, and women were excluded from most professions, except for limited roles in healthcare. Their social freedoms were severely curtailed, with mandatory burqa requirements in public and strict limits on mobility and access to healthcare.
In 2021, under renewed Taliban control, similar restrictions have reemerged. Despite initial promises of reform, the reality shows ongoing constraints on women’s rights. Throughout all these years, women have always been in a constant struggle for their most fundamental rights, yet gender oppression and inequality continue to loom larger over them each day. Imagine living in a country where your sole aspiration is access to education and work. In Afghanistan, thousands of families have no working male members, and women are denied the right to work. Inside Afghanistan, we are condemned to a gradual death sentence, trapped in a dark abyss and prison where we endure torture daily; it’s disheartening that we’re left alone. Our society is heading towards oblivion, with the next generation falling into illiteracy and ignorance. The thought alone is terrifying, yet here we are, living in such a dark abyss, where each day adds to our torment.
We are Afghan women and girls, residing in our homeland. Despite enduring severe gender discrimination, hope continues to flourish within us. We endeavor to amplify our voices and seize every opportunity to secure our rights. I am a 23-year-old Afghan girl. We are living in challenging circumstances. In 2021, during the government change, many sought ways to leave the country. We formed a small team of girls and began assisting families in emergencies, saving numerous lives. We stand ready to defend human rights under any circumstances, much like those enduring hardships under Taliban rule. Thousands of girls and women in Afghanistan haven’t lost hope and strive to benefit from every small opportunity for life, education, and work. We have persevered through years of injustice and inequality, and I take pride in continuing to fight for myself, the women and girls of my homeland, undeterred. The resilience of Afghan women ensures we never surrender.
*The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of UN Women and/or affiliated entities.
_______________________
[i]*The name has been changed to protect the identity of the individual.