I HOPE THAT ONE DAY AFGHAN GIRLS AND WOMEN CAN CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AND CAN DO ANYTHING WITHOUT FORCE OR FEAR. IT’S MY DREAM AND IT’S ALL AFGHAN GIRLS’ DREAM

Paksima

midwife, Herat

“I wanted to study medicine, but I was unable to afford the tuition. After I graduated from school, I studied for four years to become a midwife. Since then, I have helped more than 500 women deliver their babies. We provide care before, after and during childbirth.

As a result, I obtained employment with a non-governmental organization, where I am still employed now. Since working in NGOs is now prohibited, I work from home.

I also spent previous years working with schools, gathering several students from far-off provinces and places, like Nuristan. We brought them to Kabul, where we created a secondary school with dorms and knowledgeable professors. We taught midwifery to the students there and they went on to work in the field. We also helped pregnant women because in the areas where these students lived, women did not have access to health departments, so we took care of the women.

Before the Taliban, we could go anywhere, and we could study any field we wanted. But now, I can’t continue my studies. I found a job and had paid my entire salary to the university to study medicine in this one year, but before I could complete my studies the universities closed, which was a major setback in my life.

Second, the limitations they have imposed on women have had a significant psychological impact on us, and we are unsure of what the future holds. Our lives have changed negatively in every way – financially, socially and psychologically.

For me it’s very important that I continue my studies and go back to work. I also want to do an excellent job for my family because I have a young child who needs my assistance. Because I am the head of the household, all I ask is that they let us report for duty again.

I’m still working from home but can’t do as much for girls and women as before, unfortunately.

All non-governmental organizations and the United Nations should support the women and girls of Afghanistan because we are in a bad situation.

The girls and women of Afghanistan are brave and they should have a bright future. Afghan women and girls have always taken the initiative to pursue their dreams, but right now they are struggling with mental and emotional issues and require assistance.

I believe that women who are the breadwinners of the family should first be given the opportunity to carry out their responsibilities.

I implore the UN and other international organizations to remain with Afghanistan and Afghan women and to extend their support even further because we need you and we will stand and fight for our rights with your help.”

* Since this story was written, women were barred from studying at all health institutions, including as nurses or midwives, on 2 December 2024.

Our hope is that the women of Afghanistan will not be forgotten in the future