Restoring equal rights for women at all levels is not possible except by changing the regime

Until 14 August 2021, I worked as a planning engineer.

Now, I am a women’s rights activist and a defender of girls’ education, as well as a member of the spontaneous movement of militant women. In March 2022, I have launched an online academy called The Afghan Girls online classes for students who have been banned from school, where English and computer skills are taught free-of-charge with the cooperation of foreign and domestic professors. I also teach one of the classes.

I have also started a book club where girls, both those who are educated or still students, are members and we work together to promote the culture of reading.

The changes that have occurred in the lives of all women in Afghanistan, not only mine, have been a negative change and a major setback. The plans we had for our future have all been ruined and now we are fighting for our most basic human rights.

In a society where women are oppressed by their families, the few women like me – who have the ability to raise their voices and support their families and society – should become the voice of oppressed women and not let the misfortune that is called the Taliban come and nullify all the achievements of the past two decades.

It is natural that fighting in the current situation also brings risks, but my life is sweeter as a woman who takes risks and has made sacrifices, even if this leads to my isolation and loss of neutrality. Changing society can only happen with our own awareness and efforts.

Under the current conditions, we need help in any possible way: for female students to study abroad, to create an online work environment for the working class, and to give a platform to the women of Afghanistan to demand their rights and express their goals. For more than a year, Afghan women have been prevented from studying, working and even from basic freedoms such as going to parks – we have been restricted in every possible way.

The international community, as a supporter of human rights, is responsible for finding solutions to pressure the Taliban. They know that all people hate the Taliban and that the Taliban is not accepted by anyone. Youth, women’s movements and people who were not affiliated with any political strata in the past should be given an opportunity to form a government that is desired by the people and in which social justice is a reality.