“We continued organizing protests and sit-in strikes to challenge the restrictions”

“I remember the days of struggling to find enough to eat and the nights spent awake with no suitable place to study. It was more than just a lack of resources; it was the financial burden of acquiring books and stationery. To make ends meet, I had to take on the role of a house cleaner in my neighbour’s home. Despite the economic hardships, my exhaustion and the bittersweet memories, I persevered.  

When I graduated from high school, the dream of attending university became my driving force. I worked diligently to prepare for the university entrance exam, the Kankor. When the results were finally announced, I felt a profound sense of accomplishment as I was accepted into my desired field of study: law and political science. 

However, the future I had envisioned long ago crumbled in a single night with the collapse of the government.  

I found myself asking if all the relentless and sleepless nights I had spent working had been for nothing. As a young Afghan woman, the weight of this development was unbearable. It was almost inconceivable that half of Afghanistan’s population, its future, was being buried alive.  

Despite our courage and determination, our actions yielded no positive results. On the contrary, we found ourselves detained by the armed forces of the Taliban, only to be released after posting bail. 

Undaunted by these setbacks, we continued, organizing protests and sit-in strikes to challenge the restrictions. However, our efforts hardly resulted in any positive changes. In the face of such adversity and uncertainty, I managed to gain access to the Afghanistan Online University, which was a glimmer of hope in these dark times. Thus, I was able to continue my studies and keep the flame of education alive. 

Looking ahead, I hold onto the hope that one day the universities will reopen, allowing me to return to my studies with unwavering determination. My earnest plea to the international community is to take swift and resolute action to reopen the doors of schools and universities [to women and girls] in Afghanistan. This will be the cornerstone of a free Afghanistan, one enriched by the knowledge of an educated generation.”