By Roselyn Samuel
Imagine waking up one morning to find that your existence is no longer acceptable not to strangers, but to the world itself. Your face, your voice, your very presence, deemed “unacceptable” in public. This is the chilling reality for women in Afghanistan today, where Taliban laws are forcing them into the shadows, literally and figuratively.
Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, they have imposed a series of shocking restrictions on women in Afghanistan, the most visible being the mandate for full-body coverings. These are more than just pieces of cloth, the burqa and niqab symbolize enforced invisibility. Yet, more alarming than these garments is the deeper implication, women are not to be seen, heard, or respected by society.
For those of us who have grown up with the conversation on gender equality at the forefront, this scenario feels like a dystopian nightmare come to life. Imagine being forbidden from expressing yourself, attending school, or even walking in the park without a male guardian. For Afghan women, this is not fiction, it is their daily reality.
But the erasure extends far beyond physical covering, it is an assault on their very identities. Girls who once dreamed of becoming doctors, teachers, and entrepreneurs are now confined to their homes. The ban on attending schools and universities is not just a denial of education, it is a denial of their future. Their ambitions and aspirations are being suffocated under the weight of oppressive laws.
How did we arrive at this point? For nearly two decades, Afghan women fought for and enjoyed freedoms that many of us take for granted, going to school, working, and contributing to society. They were journalists, judges, politicians, beacons of progress in a traditionally patriarchal society. Now, they are being systematically excluded from public life. This is not merely a rollback of rights, it is a deliberate effort to erase half the population from the narrative of their own country.
But Afghan women are not surrendering without a fight. Despite the immense risks, many are taking to the streets to protest these repressive laws, demanding their right to education, work, and freedom. Their courage in the face of such danger is nothing short of remarkable, a testament to their resilience. While the world may seem to look away, Afghan women stand tall, defying a regime that seeks to make them invisible.
So, what can we do? As young people, we have a powerful voice. We may be far removed from the atrocities in Afghanistan, but our support matters. We can raise awareness, put pressure on governments, and amplify the voices of Afghan women fighting for their rights. Social media gives us the platform to ensure their stories are heard and not forgotten.
Let’s be clear, This is not just a cultural issue, it is a political crisis that demands global attention. The denial of basic human rights, the right to be seen, heard, and to exist fully as a person, is a universal injustice. Afghan women are no different from us in their dreams, potential, and worth. The only difference is that their voices are being silenced deliberately and systematically.
As Afghan women are forced out of sight, we must not let them slip out of our minds. Their struggle is our struggle. No woman, anywhere, should ever be made to disappear.
As students, we should strive for a world where every woman is seen, heard, and valued.