For International Women’s Day on March 8, Zan Times is publishing eight narratives of eight women activists who defied the Taliban. Telling their stories humanizes the struggles of so many women against the Taliban’s misogynist regime and also records their bravery in the face of imprisonment and torture chambers.
I am 24 years old. My father has passed away, and I am the head of the family. I live with my elderly mother.
I had gone from Kabul to Takhār to visit my sister, but the Taliban already knew about me. Around midnight on December 29, 2023, my 19-year-old niece and I were chased by the Taliban. After running through streets and alleys, they finally arrested us around 2:30 a.m. near Takhār gate.
The Taliban threw me and my niece into a Ranger and transferred us to the security headquarters. When we arrived there, they started beating us mercilessly and without asking any questions. They whipped and kicked us. They said, “This is the girl who came from Kabul.” They continued torturing us. Due to the severity of the beating, I started bleeding from my uterus. It felt like I was on my period and my hands and feet became numb. My teeth were dislodged.
My entire body was black and blue. We spent a night in custody there, and they didn’t give us a piece of bread or a drop of water. They only brought water for us to perform ablution.
On December 31, 2023, I was forced to commit to not participating in protests against the Taliban.
After being released, I went to the doctor. He was shocked to see my condition. The media published pictures of my condition. I also sent them to Zan Times. I still have severe pain in my stomach and legs.
Eventually, I came to Kabul from Takhar province after four days. I can’t live in my own house and am staying at my friends houses.
The Taliban are still after me, I hide to prevent another arrest.
*Meena Pazhwak is the pseudonym of a graduate of law and political science. She worked for an NGO before the Taliban takeover.
