Afghan Girls Share Their Despair and Visions for the Future Under Taliban Rule

Nilab, a student-turned-tailor from Kabul: “I used to be within the twelfth grade when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. With the Taliban takeover, everybody’s desires in Afghanistan have been crushed. I keep in mind the night time I heard the information of Herat’s fall, and I cried till morning. Instantly, concern, terror and despair took maintain of my life. I knew I might not attend college, all of the preparations I had made for my schooling vanished into skinny air. I noticed I couldn’t serve my nation as a working lady. Whereas ladies in different international locations go to highschool every single day with none obstacles, for me, this has turn into nothing greater than a dream.” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell

“I went by means of a interval of extreme despair, however with the assistance of my household, I managed to regain my spirit and begin studying some books once more… And for the previous six months, I have been instructing 12 neighbourhood youngsters who, on account of poverty or different causes, could not go to highschool. We maintain every day one-hour courses in one of many rooms in our home. I have been instructing them topics like math and Dari, and fortuitously, they will now learn and write. Regardless of my issues about my very own future, once I see my college students, who’re capable of be taught and have a want for schooling with my assist, it rejuvenates me. Typically my worries weigh me down, however I elevate my head excessive and promise myself that I’ll obtain my desires. We’re ladies who’ve lived with human rights and freedom, and we’re nonetheless combating for what rightfully belongs to us, which is freedom and equality.” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell

"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. ... 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. ... I remember burning my stories several times … I encountered difficulties, including financial constraints that made buying a computer impossible. ... 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'm not someone who gives up when things get tough. Instead, I see these challenges as opportunities to grow and become stronger." Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“My journey into the world of writing started once I was almost 15 years previous. I used to be motivated to make use of the facility of phrases to deal with the challenges confronted by girls. I needed to jot down concerning the Taliban and lift the voice of ladies and what they’re experiencing in Afghanistan, however my father by no means let me try this and he beat me. I keep in mind burning my tales a number of occasions … I encountered difficulties, together with monetary constraints that made shopping for a pc unattainable. I’ve confronted quite a lot of difficulties due to the Taliban. They’ve brainwashed my father with false concepts about Islam and ladies’s duties. Now my father would not deal with me properly as a result of I need to elevate my voice for my rights. I am not somebody who provides up when issues get robust. As a substitute, I see these challenges as alternatives to develop and turn into stronger.” Credit score: Sayed Habib BidellNajla, a toddler bride from Wardak

"Despite all my efforts, sleepless nights studying and working hard to get good grades and learn new things to have my dreams come true, I was forced into marriage . ... From a young age, I have been through a lot. ... Unfortunately, now I am living through the pain of seeing my future as dark as my son's ashes. We are walking towards an unknown future with no education, no work, and poverty and violence are at their peak." Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“Regardless of all my efforts, sleepless nights learning and dealing laborious to get good grades and be taught new issues to have my desires come true, I used to be compelled into marriage . From a younger age, I’ve been by means of quite a bit. Sadly, now I’m dwelling by means of the ache of seeing my future as darkish as my son’s ashes. We’re strolling in the direction of an unknown future with no schooling, no work, and poverty and violence are at their peak.” Credit score: Sayed Habib BidellParisa, a former pupil from Mazar

Parisa – a former student from Mazar: "I thought the best years of my life would be my teenage years. But after the events of 15 August 2021, when I attempted suicide for the second time as an 18-year-old girl and spent the hardest days of my life, I realized that adolescence is not pleasant and wonderful. I was in my last year of high school when education for girls was banned, and my dream of wearing a white coat and becoming a doctor vanished. I faced very difficult conditions, and every night I had nightmares and tremendous fear for the Taliban. When the Taliban first entered the city, I couldn't leave the house for a month. I witnessed girls being whipped by the Taliban just because they didn't wear the desired hijab. ... I look forward to a day when women and men will stand side-by-side again, experiencing equal rights." Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“I assumed the most effective years of my life could be my teenage years. However after the occasions of 15 August 2021, once I tried suicide for the second time as an 18-year-old woman and spent the toughest days of my life, I noticed that adolescence is just not nice and great. I used to be in my final 12 months of highschool when schooling for women was banned, and my dream of carrying a white coat and changing into a health care provider vanished. I confronted very tough situations, and each night time I had nightmares and super concern for the Taliban. When the Taliban first entered town, I could not go away the home for a month. I witnessed ladies being whipped by the Taliban simply because they did not put on the specified hijab. I sit up for a day when ladies and men will stand side-by-side once more, experiencing equal rights.” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell

"My hopes were shattered, and I was forced to accept a marriage that would lead my future into darkness. … My family, especially my father and brothers, insisted on this marriage. They argued, ‘What else can you do? There are no opportunities for women; all doors to education are closed. We can no longer afford to support your living expenses. It's better for you to get married and begin your own life.' ... Even if the Taliban allows universities to reopen, my family will likely not permit me to attend, and I have lost the motivation to start from scratch. Moreover, it's unclear what the curriculum will entail under the Taliban regime. Will it emphasize human rights and humanity, or violence and killing?" Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“My hopes have been shattered, and I used to be compelled to just accept a wedding that will lead my future into darkness. My household, particularly my father and brothers, insisted on this marriage. They argued, ‘What else are you able to do? There are not any alternatives for girls; all doorways to schooling are closed. We are able to not afford to help your dwelling bills. It is higher so that you can get married and start your individual life.’ Even when the Taliban permits universities to reopen, my household will possible not allow me to attend, and I’ve misplaced the motivation to start out from scratch. Furthermore, it is unclear what the curriculum will entail beneath the Taliban regime. Will it emphasize human rights and humanity, or violence and killing?” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell

"In the early days of the Republic's collapse, I endured challenging times, spending months in severe depression. I lost my job and, soon after, the university gates were closed to me. I felt like my dreams, aspirations and identity had been reduced to nothing. It is essential to support those who have been pushed into oblivion under these dreadful and inhumane conditions, facing numerous challenges in their lives. ... I have sought to provide educational opportunities for girls who survived the disruption of schooling. … Today, even if the doors of schools and universities are closed to us women, we have transformed our homes into schools and universities. … Women in Afghanistan must receive support from the people and the international community in every possible way. I am certain that the sole path to fighting the Taliban and gender discrimination in Afghanistan is to support women and girls."

“Within the early days of the Republic’s collapse, I endured difficult occasions, spending months in extreme despair. I misplaced my job and, quickly after, the college gates have been closed to me. I felt like my desires, aspirations and id had been lowered to nothing. It’s important to help those that have been pushed into oblivion beneath these dreadful and inhumane situations, going through quite a few challenges of their lives. I’ve sought to supply academic alternatives for women who survived the disruption of education. As we speak, even when the doorways of faculties and universities are closed to us girls, we have now reworked our houses into faculties and universities. Ladies in Afghanistan should obtain help from the folks and the worldwide neighborhood in each doable method. I’m sure that the only real path to combating the Taliban and gender discrimination in Afghanistan is to help girls and ladies.”

"Before the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, I was a member of the national basketball team … But after the events of 15 August, all my dreams were shattered overnight. Right now, things in the country are very unpredictable. It's like going to sleep at night, and when you wake up in the morning, you find out that they've added new rules for women. The hardest part for me was when they said girls can't play sports anymore. I had put in so much effort and overcome so many challenges to make it to the National Basketball Team, and suddenly, they took away my job, my freedom and the sport I loved. … Now, I train about 50 girls below the sixth grade in one of the orphanages in Herat. I train them in sports like volleyball, soccer and basketball. I also secretly teach some of the older girls." Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“Earlier than the Taliban took energy in Afghanistan, I used to be a member of the nationwide basketball group. However after the occasions of 15 August, all my desires have been shattered in a single day. Proper now, issues within the nation are very unpredictable. It is like going to sleep at night time, and while you get up within the morning, you discover out that they’ve added new guidelines for girls. The toughest half for me was once they stated ladies cannot play sports activities anymore. I had put in a lot effort and overcome so many challenges to make it to the Nationwide Basketball Crew, and instantly, they took away my job, my freedom and the game I cherished. Now, I prepare about 50 ladies under the sixth grade in one of many orphanages in Herat. I prepare them in sports activities like volleyball, soccer and basketball. I additionally secretly educate a number of the older ladies.” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell

"After 15 August 2021, the situation took a grim turn. The arrival of the Taliban darkened our lives. They imposed their strict rules and regulations on us, confining us to our homes, effectively taking away our freedoms and rights. … Our lives have become a constant battle between our aspirations and the harsh reality imposed by the Taliban. With every obstacle we face, we are reminded that the fundamental rights and freedoms we once took for granted have slipped away, and our journey through a rapidly changing Afghanistan is fraught with uncertainty and danger ... Why is it that just because one is born a girl in this country, they have to pay a lifelong price?." Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“After 15 August 2021, the scenario took a grim flip. The arrival of the Taliban darkened our lives. They imposed their strict guidelines and rules on us, confining us to our houses, successfully taking away our freedoms and rights. … Our lives have turn into a relentless battle between our aspirations and the cruel actuality imposed by the Taliban. With each impediment we face, we’re reminded that the elemental rights and freedoms we as soon as took with no consideration have slipped away, and our journey by means of a quickly altering Afghanistan is fraught with uncertainty and hazard. Why is it that simply because one is born a woman on this nation, they should pay a lifelong worth?” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell

"After a few months of wallowing in such despair, I realized that I have to be strong for my children, so I started baking some cakes and cookies at home that my husband could sell at the market. I also have two other women who help me. I hope to one day be able to grow my business so that I can provide more jobs for other women. … We must rise, united as one voice, and demonstrate that we can achieve our fundamental rights to work, an education and freedom." Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell

“After just a few months of wallowing in such despair, I noticed that I’ve to be sturdy for my youngsters, so I began baking some muffins and cookies at house that my husband might promote on the market. I even have two different girls who assist me. I hope to sooner or later be capable of develop my enterprise in order that I can present extra jobs for different girls. We should rise, united as one voice, and reveal that we are able to obtain our elementary rights to work, an schooling and freedom.” Credit score: Sayed Habib Bidell