The harsh reality for Afghan girls

(Courtesy of Ghezal Asghari / Malala Fund)

Five Afghan students share their thoughts on the crisis in their home country.

This article is published in partnership with “A Year of Darkness: Afghan Girls Write to Muslim Countries and World Leaders,” where 50 Afghan girls shared their experiences and demands with the international community. 

For one year, Afghan girls haven’t been able to go to school. 

Every day they have dealt with the mental and emotional challenges that come with being deprived of their rights. And every day they have watched as leaders around the world fail to help them. 

In the last year, everything about Afghan girls’ lives has changed. Some mourn their dreams for the future. Others grieve the burnt pages of their notebooks. Many now carry the heavy burdens of domestic violence, poverty and early marriage. 

Five girls in Kabul, Nangarhar and Parwan shared with us how they are feeling one year into the Taliban’s ban on girls’ secondary education. Their words reflect the harsh reality for girls in our country. 

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“The world and the Taliban should not use girls' education for political purposes. In return, girls' education, which leads us from darkness to the light, should not be bargained for power and political interests.”

— Sarzameen*, grade 11

“This past year, we have been denied human rights, such as the right to attain an education, the privilege to work, the liberty to live with dignity, freedom, mobility and speech, and the right to determine and decide for ourselves.”

— Azadi*, grade 11

“It's ever heartbreaking and disgraceful to see how the world keeps silent regarding Afghan women's and girls' education rights. It denotes fundamental human rights, values and morals that can be compromised for political interests.”

— Qudrat Safid*, grade 10

“It's a shame that in the 21st century, we must beg for our fundamental rights — such as education — and put our demand forward to world leaders who themselves believe in human rights defenders and advocates.”

— Hadaf*, grade 12

“We wish to wear our black dresses and white veils and feel like sitting in the school chair with our souls and hearts and once again want our fingers painted with colored pencils, and like boys, return to school and study up to the Ph.D. level.”

— Gul-e-khob*, grade 10 

Editor’s note: Azadi, Gul-e-khob, Hadaf, Qudrat Safid and Sarzameen are pseudonyms.