BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE TALIBAN TOOK POWER, MY DREAMS AND ALL THE DREAMS OF AFGHAN WOMEN AND GIRLS WERE DESTROYED IN HALF A DAY
Arefa
"I am a junior university student of English Literature. I worked hard to finish high school with excellent grades and then for two years I worked hard to prepare for university entrance exams. I successfully enrolled in my chosen field of study – my dream field.
Last year, we tolerated the compulsory hijab because what mattered most to us was our education. But at the end of the educational year, they banned girls’ education, even with a hijab. Now, I’m forced to stay at home, like millions of other women and girls in my country.
While studying, I also worked part-time as an English language teacher at an educational centre, to contribute to my family expenses and to cover my own as well.
After the ban on women and girls from education and work, I am trying to study and prepare for the new educational year with the hope that we will be able to go back to our working and educational environments. To support my family and support myself, I am tailoring and embroidering like a housewife.
We have no right to work or even go outside now.
My dream of continuing my studies was destroyed after 15 August 2021. Now, I am dependent on my father and brother. I have lost my rights and my freedom. I am not even able to go to the supermarket without a male companion.
Still, I hope for the good news that the de facto authorities (DFA) will reverse their decree banning women and girls from work and education. I have my books and educational materials with me and I am counting the days and nights. This situation is very difficult to manage but I am trying my best to do something at home to support myself and my family.
Although having hope in this situation is not realistic, I still hope that human rights organizations and the international community will stand for Afghan women’s rights and not only express their solidarity by releasing statements and watching our suffering. It will not be possible to change the current conditions unless the international community puts pressure on the Taliban to recognize women’s rights.
I think the only possible way to change women’s situation is for Afghan men to stand up for women’s rights and for the international community to put pressure on the Taliban.”
