AFGHANOTES #1

“I Will Never Accept that Afghan Women Remain Silent”

Photo: Zaki Daryabi

AFGHANOTES is the testimony of a team of Afghan journalists who are reporting for Outriders the daily life in Afghanistan since the Taliban swept into Kabul on August 15, 2021.

September 3rd & 4th, 2021

#Women

Fifteen days ago, on August 15, 2021, Kabul fell to the Taliban.

With the Taliban entering into the city, Kabul streets turned empty of women.

On September 3rd and 4th, a number of women from Kabul marched towards one of the city’s main squares to raise their voices to the world and the Taliban.

These Afghan women say they want to have the right to decide their destiny, the right to education, employment.

Photo: Tahmina Salar

Photo: Tahmina Salar

For women to be able to continue their education, the Taliban introduced a strict dress code. Classes will be segregated, they said.

INTERVIEW

“I will never accept that Afghan women who have worked hard for 20 years remain silent”

Rukshana Rezaie is one of the organizers of a women-led protest on Saturday, September 4, in Kabul, calling for equal rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. They marched on the streets of Kabul until they were abruptly stopped and beaten by Taliban special forces on their way to the presidential palace.

Attempts to obtain these rights led to their beating by Taliban soldiers.

Narges Sadat, another participant, was beaten by the Taliban during the demonstration.

Now Afghan women and girls are waiting to see what their future holds in Afghanistan – obtaining human rights or being removed from the face of society.