Afghan Girls Share Their Despair and Visions for the Future Under Taliban Rule

Nilab, a student-turned-tailor from Kabul: “I was in the 12th grade when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. With the Taliban takeover, everyone’s dreams in Afghanistan were crushed. I remember the night I heard the news of Herat’s fall, and I cried until morning. Suddenly, fear, terror and despair took hold of my life. I knew I could no longer attend school, all the preparations I had made for my education vanished into thin air. I realized I couldn’t serve my country as a working woman. While girls in other countries go to school every day without any obstacles, for me, this has become nothing more than a dream.” Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell
Nilab, a student-turned-tailor from Kabul: “I was in the 12th grade when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. With the Taliban takeover, everyone’s dreams in Afghanistan were crushed. I remember the night I heard the news of Herat’s fall, and I cried until morning. Suddenly, fear, terror and despair took hold of my life. I knew I could no longer attend school, all the preparations I had made for my education vanished into thin air. I realized I couldn’t serve my country as a working woman. While girls in other countries go to school every day without any obstacles, for me, this has become nothing more than a dream.” Credit: Sayed Habib Bidell
  • by Jen Ross (united nations)
  • Inter Press Service

Negina, a 15-year-old student-turned teacher from Bamyan

Sadaf, an 18-year-old writer from Kapisa

Mahnaz, a forced bride and former university student from Farah

Nazmina, a former journalism student from Kapisa

Rabia, a former basketball athlete from Herat

Mahbuba, a midwifery student from Sarpol

Motahara, a baker and former nursing student from Logar

Note: These profiles and others can be found at After August, the women's stories were shared with IPS' readers courtesy of UN Women, Limbo and Zan Times, where Afghan women and girls tell their stories in their own words (with anonymized photos and names and locations changed to protect their identity).

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