By Tamana Ziar
Afghanistan has witnessed a shocking fall of its government and the new rising of Taliban on August 15 2021. Afghan people are facing a dangerous time ahead. Especially, the future and freedom of Afghan women are facing major uncertainty and vagueness in these trying times. What’s the heart of an Afghan woman saying?
It is a terrible situation here in Afghanistan. Even though the world is watching in horror what’s happening here, the reality is much more gloomy than that.
There was always a fear for the last few months that the dark days of the late last century might come back again. But, still, we were hoping there would be a miracle that will help the country to avert such a situation again. But, hope doesn’t always save the fate of people.
Since former President Ashraf Ghani has left Afghanistan and the Taliban captured the entire country, the hopes of brighter days have shattered. Especially for women, the situation is too tough and highly likely it is going to be even tougher, just like the days of previous Taliban rule. The majority of women here are afraid that they will not be able to go outside of their homes and continue to work and study.
In the last twenty years, women of Afghanistan started feeling a sense of freedom. It was like a silver line after the dark cloud. The process was slow but steady. Women were participating in politics, administration and various other spheres of life, just like many other countries in the rest of the world. They got the power to elect their leaders, started studying after a long suspension. But, August 15 brought a dark shadow upon us. The uncertainty, fear, anxiety have prevailed the hope and dreams for better days.
I was a fourth-year student of political science and international relations at Kabul University. Also, the vice president of programs at the Kabul University students union. I had a lot of ambitions for political participation and involvement in political activities. But, with the arrival of the Taliban, I am afraid that they would never allow this, because, in the Taliban press conference, they only mentioned that women can only study and work in the field of health, education and other areas, according to the Sharia law. But they did not mention the participation of women in politics.
My family and I went out to America through Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). But the majority of my classmates are very disappointed with the new system and are worried about their future education and work.
The majority of Afghan young women like me are now being haunted by many questions. How much political power will women receive in the new government? Will women be allowed to study and continue working? Will the Taliban impose restrictions on choosing a field of study and choosing a job? These are only a few of them. But there is no clarity in front of us, only vagueness lies ahead.
Afghan women now not only fearing for their lives and safety and feeling threatened. They also feel the whole world has denied their rights.
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(Tamana Ziar is the vice president of programs at Kabul university students’ union and a member of Her Afghanistan.)
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