“I was subjected to terrifying experiences, enduring physical violence and repeated threats”

Saleha

youth representative and women’s advocate, Uruzgan

“My life before 15 August 2021, had a very different purpose and direction. I was deeply committed to advocating for human rights, with a particular focus on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. As a youth representative and human rights activist, I felt a profound duty to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Afghan women and girls. My mission was to ensure that they had access to education, opportunities and well-being.

However, when Kabul fell to the Taliban, my world was turned upside down. The hopes and dreams I had cherished for so long, especially my role as an activist, were suddenly and devastatingly crushed. The Taliban’s draconian rule imposed strict limitations on every aspect of life, particularly targeting women and their rights. This marked the beginning of a challenging and oppressive period that would last for the next two years.

During this dark time, I was subjected to terrifying experiences, enduring physical violence and repeated threats from the Taliban. This has left an indelible mark on my psyche, pushing me to disguise my identity whenever I step outside my home. Every day, I wear a burqa and veil, concealing my face to avoid detection, knowing that my safety depends on this fragile disguise.

The nights became sleepless, filled with a constant, gnawing fear that the Taliban could come for me at any moment. What added to this fear were the horrifying accounts I’d heard about the conditions in Taliban prisons. This deep-seated dread has shattered my peace, leaving me in a constant state of anxiety and apprehension.

The most profound change in my life came in the form of a complete loss of physical and mental well-being. Some days, even breathing itself felt like a formidable challenge. The Taliban’s harsh restrictions on Afghan women had confined us to a world of unimaginable limitations and oppression. The fall of Kabul on 15 August became a black day in Afghanistan’s history, a day when women and girls were forcibly locked inside their homes, their dreams shattered.

Amid these harrowing conditions, Afghan women like me felt abandoned by the international community and organizations such as the United Nations. The difficulties we faced were beyond imagination. Even if we were miraculously granted the right to work and study, the psychological scars left by this ordeal would take years to heal.

I implore the global community to stand in solidarity with us, to acknowledge our plight, and to join us in our unwavering fight for a brighter and more hopeful future, where the rights of Afghan women are upheld, and their dreams can once again thrive.”

“Every day, I endure insults, humiliation and ongoing death threats from the Taliban”

An older woman with her child sits outside her home, looking sideways at the valley.