Kabul, Afghanistan – Following the Taliban’s tightening restrictions on Afghan women post their takeover in August 2021, defiance began to simmer as women took to the streets to protest against the curtailment of their rights to work, learn, and move freely in society. However, the brave women who raised their voices demanding “food, work, freedom” soon faced the brutal wrath of the Taliban as they cracked down on dissent with violence, arrests, and threats of death by stoning.

Among those who stood up against the oppressive regime were Zakia, a former breadwinner who lost her job post-Taliban rule, Mariam, a widow struggling to provide for her children under the new restrictions, and Parwana Ibrahimkhail Nijrabi, a 23-year-old student fighting for women’s rights to education and employment. Each of them faced harrowing experiences at the hands of the Taliban as they dared to challenge the status quo in Kabul.

Zakia’s first act of defiance led her to join a protest in December 2022, marking her anger at being deprived of the right to work and receive an education. However, her cries for justice were met with forceful suppression by the Taliban armed police, leaving her physically and emotionally scarred by the ordeal. Similarly, Mariam and Parwana found themselves arrested, interrogated, and subjected to physical and verbal abuse as they fought for their basic rights in a society increasingly intolerant of dissent.

Despite enduring unimaginable hardships in Taliban prisons, including torture and degrading treatment, these courageous women remained resilient in their pursuit of justice and equality. With the intervention of human rights organizations and local elders, Parwana and Mariam were eventually released, yet forced to sign confessions renouncing further activism against the Taliban.

As the world looks on, the stories of Zakia, Mariam, and Parwana serve as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by Afghan women in their fight for freedom and equality. Their resilience in the face of adversity highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with advocating for women’s rights in a society plagued by oppression and patriarchal norms. Despite the setbacks and trauma they have endured, these women continue to defy the odds, paving the way for a better, more equitable future for generations to come.