Everyone should support Afghan women in their right-seeking and end this injustice by increasing their confidence and morale

Before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, our organization worked in the areas of education, litigation, solving women’s legal cases, capacity-building for women in legal sectors, participation in decision-making and environmental protection, etc.

But since 22 December, we have been at home. Our office is closed and we only attend meetings online. The only thing we were able to do for our people was deliver winter clothes to poor people in the community. We do not have projects at this time, but we teach Afghan girls who are out of school online using our limited equipment and facilities.

After the Taliban takeover, the restrictions on women have increased. Women have no right to go out and work; women are not allowed to enter government offices; women cannot leave the house without a chaperone; and those who do not have men or sponsors are facing bad economic problems.

The most important problem for women in Afghanistan is the lack of attention to the women’s economy, which has caused economic poverty, the lack of attention to women’s spirit in families, the deprivation of freedom, the right to education and women’s work, as well as the recognition of women in society.

Six months after the Taliban takeover, our office’s activities were limited to providing legal trainings, capacity-building, reducing psychological stress and awareness about environmental protection. I acted cautiously with the new system to manage my work. After changing the name of our project, we were able to register it with the Ministry of Economy, and by using Islamic clothing, Islamic verses and hadiths, we were able to do our job.

At the time of the Republic, our activities were very wide. Now, our activities are completely limited to online activities such as teaching girls. We also help supply people with winter clothing, which we were able to promote in secret, not in the name of the organization.

Another wish is to involve women in decision-making, in working institutions to grow the economy, and to expand the mental, intellectual, social and cultural capacities of women, as well as to reduce the suffering of Afghan women and preserve their human dignity.

Everyone should support Afghan women in their right-seeking and end this injustice by increasing their confidence and morale. Programmes should be established so that Afghan women are informed of their Islamic rights and empowered to fight the injustices that have been done to them. Everyone can use technology to reach girls with lessons and education. And universities, both at home and abroad, should provide scholarships for women.

As an Afghan girl, my message to the international community is that Afghan women can no longer tolerate so much misery and the international community must take a stand to achieve women’s rights and convince the Taliban to end the restrictions on women’s work and education.