“In the blink of an eye, I went from the throne to the ground”

Joweria

Former defense lawyer, Paktya

A woman stands, draped in a black lace veil.

“I am a law and political science graduate. In the previous government, I worked as a defense lawyer, dealing with issues such as women’s rights and children’s rights, dealing with underaged marriages, dispute resolution, family issues and advocating for the rights of women seeking refuge in safe houses.

I have often been threatened by families I opposed to support their daughters’ rights. Despite that, I felt proud because I could assist my fellow women, be their voice and advocate for their rights.

However, on 15 August, complete darkness engulfed the lives of Afghan girls. As the voice of Afghan women and children, I always wanted justice to prevail. I pursued hundreds of cases alone, but unfortunately, today I am deprived of even the most basic rights.

Today, I am imprisoned in my own home simply for being a woman. Worse yet, I faced severe security threats that have forced me to leave my home. The place I lived for years, where I was respected by everyone, no longer had a place for me. Even its air became suffocating. For this reason, I had to move to another place to hide my identity. In the blink of an eye, I went from the throne to the ground and the day came when I couldn’t even afford 10 afghanis for transportation.

I sometimes have no hope for a better life or a better future because every day the conditions worsen, and the restrictions increase.

I’ve raised my voice many times to change the current situation. I’ve participated in many protests to demand the rights of girls and women, find solutions and break free from the current deadlock. I’ve walked from street to street in the city, staying awake until morning. But it seems that here, ears are deaf and eyes are blind. No one sees us, and no one hears our voices. Still, I know that in the end, success will be ours.

In secret and away from the Taliban’s sight, I’ve been providing educational opportunities from my home for several girls who are deprived of the right to go to school. I borrowed money to support the education of my students, even buying them three-coloured pens. I went to the city in relatively cold weather in not-so-warm clothing to distribute some pens and notebooks to girl students to encourage them to continue to learn, and to redraw their dreams.

I tell the men in our society that if a woman is educated, she will bring seven generations of education.

We demand more attention from the United Nations. Please do not forget Afghan women and girls. Never recognize the Taliban as a government because if they are recognized the conditions will not get better but will only get worse.”

“I was forced to sell my six-month-old child for 50,000 afghanis”

A baby girl is half visible through a swaddle.