By Freshta Ghani
On International Girl Child Day celebrated around the world on October 11, there are more than one million girls above the sixth grade who are deprived of their right to education in Afghanistan. Several of these female students have shared their thoughts and feelings with Zan Times through letters and short messages as well as in-person interviews in Kabul, Daikundi, and Laghman.
The following are messages and conversations from the girls who spent the last year hoping to return to school (the grades are those at which their education stopped). They have been edited for clarity and length:
Saeeda, Kabul (grade 10)
“I was a girl who wanted to learn. I was in second position in my class. I dreamed of becoming a successful doctor so that I could serve my country. But it has been a year and several months since I have been at school. That really made me disappointed.” (letter)
Shokria, Kabul (grade 10)
“I feel very upset when I see boys and girls going to school. But I have no choice. I am impatiently waiting for the announcement that girls above sixth grade can attend school, then I can rejoin my classmates for studying. I have studied very enthusiastically for the past 10 years. Like many other girls, I had always wished to study medicine, become a doctor, and serve my people, especially women.” (voice message)
Somaya, Ashtarli district of Daikandi province (grade 9)
“I am very upset. I long for the days when I used to study, do my homework, and play volleyball with my friends. I even miss those days when it took me two hours to walk to school. I miss my classmates and teachers. I am very disappointed today.” (interview)
Zahra, Daikandi province (grade 8)
“My mother, who had never attended school, always wanted me to study. Now that I have been deprived of education, I feel as if I have suffered the same fate as my mother.” (interview)
Morsal, Mehtarlam city of Laghman province (grade 11)
“I feel disappointed like all the girls who studied with so many hopes but were barred from entering the school. It is painful that we can no longer attend school. I was a hardworking student for 11 years. My future seems bleak now. It deeply saddens me.” (voice message)
Asma, Mehtarlam city of Laghman province (grade 8)
“I demand that the Taliban reopen the school gates to all girls because we need both education and employment. Afghanistan’s economy is in a terrible state. Women should also have their share in society.” (interview)
Hadya, Kabul (grade 12)
“I had set high goals for myself when I was in school. I wanted to graduate. I wanted to go to university and stand on my own feet. I have never received a low grade during the 11 years I attended school. I studied day and night. During the past three years, I’ve studied for entrance exams to enter my favorite field, medicine. When the Taliban closed the school gates on us it was the last days of exams. Since the Taliban had announced that the schools would be closed for girls until a second order, I was hoping that the schools would be reopened soon. But unfortunately, more than a year has passed and there is no sign of a second order.” (interview)
Humira, Samangan province (grade 11)
“I had many dreams. I wanted to study and go to university, but all the schools have been closed. I wish our schools would open and we could continue our education. I don’t want to stay home in despair. The sadness keeps me awake at night. Whenever I remember the pleasant memories of school, I cry. My request to the Taliban is that they open our schools.” (voice message)
Zainab, Kabul (grade 12)
“It was the year I was going to graduate from school! Behind closed doors, I returned home with disappointment. With wishes in my heart, I sat in the corner of the house. We were waiting for the school to open with tears in our eyes. Why did we go to school with a heart full of hope and return home with despair? What is the answer to this students’ question?” (letter)
N. Ahmed, Soha Azizi, Azada Azad, and Atiya FarAzar contributed to this story.
