“We were being handed over to Taliban torture by women themselves”

Yasmin

activist and attorney, Samangan

A young woman reads a book in dim light.

“As a law graduate with over five years of active involvement with the Afghan Human Rights Defenders Committee, I’ve dedicated myself to serving justice and protecting women’s rights. My journey has led me to defend those who have suffered from violence against women and family abuse.

In my current role, I instruct women’s rights courses at an online university, striving to empower the future generation with the knowledge they need. Additionally, I’ve taken on the responsibility of teaching sewing to illiterate women, granting them practical skills and self-sufficiency.

However, my life took a dramatic turn after the Taliban’s return to power on 15 August. Their severe restrictions on women have affected me deeply, as well as countless others. I couldn’t stay silent in the face of these changes.

Together with my friends, we made the choice to join the protest movements. But my decision came at a great personal cost. My own family, including my husband, strongly opposed my participation in these protests. My husband went to the extent of threatening to disclose my information and address to the Taliban, driven by fear for his safety and that of our families. Consequently, I spent my nights seeking refuge at my friends’ houses. At times, I had nowhere to sleep, as my friends were also living in fear and constantly apologizing for not being able to offer me a safe haven.

In these challenging times, my unwavering commitment to justice and women’s rights continues to guide my actions, no matter the personal sacrifices. Most of my acquaintances who took part in the protests were arrested by the Taliban. The Taliban beat, tortured, electroshocked and arrested their relatives.

Even in one of our protests, we realized that some women who were part of our group had been sent and assigned [to spy on us] by the Taliban. They would join our gatherings to identify protesters, and when the Taliban came to arrest us, they would collaborate with them and take us to Taliban vehicles. It was unbelievable and shocking to us that we were being handed over to Taliban torture by women themselves.

Despite all the challenges and risks, I firmly believe that the Taliban’s oppression should not deter us from continuing our protests. Street demonstrations and raising our voices have been one of our greatest achievements since 15 August.

The global community should not legitimize the Taliban’s violations of Afghan women’s human rights because the return of Afghan women to schools, universities and other social areas is their natural and undeniable right. If the world recognizes the Taliban, it could lead to future violations of women’s rights and systematic violence and abuse against them.”

“I have a one-and-a-half-month-old boy and malnutrition threatens his life”