THE DAILY DECLARATION OF NEW BANS ON WOMEN AND GIRLS HAS REALLY AFFECTED ME MENTALLY AND EVEN BROUGHT ON A SERIOUS ILLNESS

I am a journalist with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. I have 14 years of work experience in different fields, with different organizations as a social activist, communications officer, gender officer and as a local radio producer and news reporter.

After 15 August, I had a job with a women’s website, and as a gender officer, but due to the 24 December ban, I lost my job. I still work for the women’s website, but as a volunteer now.

The most significant change in my life was losing my job. I was the only breadwinner of whole family. Now, without a job, I am facing a very critical financial situation.

Without jobs, what will happen to other women and girls who are the breadwinners of their families, like me? What will their future be like and what will they do to feed their families?

I had to stop my social activities due to my personal safety and security. Besides, we lost the chance to continue our social activities and services for women and girls.

In this situation, if anyone can support Afghan women, it is Afghan men. They should stand with women and girls, and the international community, including the UN should, put pressure on the Taliban to recognize women’s Islamic and basic rights.

My message for the international community is that they should negotiate with the de facto authorities about Afghan women and their rights.