Shifting from Work and Serenity to House Arrest: Arefa’s Reflections.

Arefa*, hailing from Farah, Afghanistan, fulfills roles as both an educator and a midwife.

I held positions as both an Educator and a Midwife across different public and private medical facilities. Following the collapse of Kabul, my employment ceased due to the impracticality of adhering to the Taliban’s regulations. Throughout these almost two years, I have actively and indirectly strived to advocate for the rights of Afghan females. I vocalized my concerns against the Taliban’s directives in an effort to shield Afghan women from this ongoing turmoil.

I have experienced repeated instances of physical aggression and intimidation. Presently, I reside in concealment due to these menacing threats, stemming from my outspoken critiques of their regulations through various media outlets and social platforms. My attempts at securing employment have been met with frustration as, despite successfully gaining offers, my identity disclosure leads to immediate terminations. Prospective employers perceive my association as a potential hazard to their operations.

The significant shift in my life post the 15th of August has manifested as a profound sense of vulnerability, affecting me both mentally and physically. Nightmares have become a recurring occurrence. The extensive array of constraints that the Taliban have enforced upon Afghan women and girls has left me with a sensation akin to struggling for breath. The 15th of August stands as a somber milestone in Afghanistan’s history, marking the day when women and girls found themselves confined within their own homes.

Afghan women lack any substantial support. I could never have foreseen this level of isolation. These are arguably the most challenging days we, as Afghan women, have ever encountered.

Such is the nature of existence. Regardless of our preferences, we must persist as long as we draw breath. The circumstances of life under the Taliban’s governance are so arduous and insufferable that words fail to capture the extent. We must endure the struggle and endeavor to rebuild. In the past, I held a position and enjoyed sustenance and serenity. Yet, the Taliban stripped me of everything I held dear. Presently, I find myself confined within the walls of my own home.

Afghan women possess an astonishing strength that surpasses global perceptions, persisting in their efforts relentlessly. For nearly two years, we have taken to the streets, advocating for our rights to education and employment. Despite encountering setbacks along the way, our determination remains unwavering. With the backing of the international community and the United Nations, there lies potential for our endeavors to bear fruit.

Regrettably, Afghan women find themselves lacking support from the global community, with only observers in our midst. The potential for reform within the Taliban exists should international backing come forth. How much longer will they merely observe the plight of women in Afghanistan? How much longer will they witness our devastation?

Half of the population of Afghanistan is perishing. Can the concept of “dying” encompass anything beyond this reality? The extent of insult and degradation we have endured is such that, even if we regain the liberty to work and learn, it will take years to restore a semblance of normalcy—both mentally and physically. The tranquility we once enjoyed, even within our own homes, has been shattered. Every passing instant, I apprehend the possibility of being apprehended. The reports I’ve heard from within Taliban prisons are nothing short of horrifying. This constant terror has robbed me of my peace of mind.

I implore the global community to stand alongside us.

*To safeguard the security of the individual highlighted in this article, all names, locations, and sequence of incidents have been altered.