The lives of many women have been wrecked during the two-and-a-half years of Taliban rule. Our journalists asked eight women to recount their activities on a typical day living under Taliban gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
Beenafsha*
6:12 a.m.
After performing morning prayers, I returned to bed. Before the Taliban came to power, I used to rush in the morning; I would finish my household tasks early, and some days, I wouldn’t even have breakfast and would go straight to work. I used to work at a non-governmental organization. I had a good income, now my job depends on my customers. If there are customers at the tailoring workshop, we have work. Otherwise, we have no work and no income.
12:43 p.m.
After I became unemployed, three educated women and I established a tailoring workshop. We have one tailor responsible for cutting and two others who do the sewing. In these difficult circumstances, this workshop is a blessing for us because without it, we would have no occupation, and would be forced to sit at home, which would lead to mental problems. Its income is also helpful. Today, at 10:00 a.m., we received a good order. Within two days, we must sew five sets of clothes for a girl who is getting married soon. We had a lunch break; the others went back home to have lunch, but I am still in the workshop. It’s good that I knew a profession that could provide for household expenses; otherwise, we would be left with nothing. Previously, we only sewed clothes for ourselves, but our lifestyle and clothing have changed significantly from those days – we used to pick cheerful and diverse colours and modern styles.
3:01 p.m.
After the girls returned to the workshop, I had to go to the market and buy some tailoring supplies. I felt a lot of stress and anxiety when I went out alone. We are terrified when we want to go out as we cannot always have a male relative accompany us. My father is busy with his work, and my brothers are studying. Therefore, every time I go out, I’m petrified that the Taliban soldiers might stop me in the market and ask about my male companion. Today was one of those days, and with great fear and anxiety, I went to the market alone and bought the necessary items. I always go out fully covered, whereas I used to go out only wearing a scarf.
5:15 p.m.
Unlike other evenings, the weather was clear and bright when I left the workshop. I wished I could stroll through the city or shop like I did at these beautiful moments in previous years. Unfortunately, due to the restrictions, we cannot go wherever and whenever we want. Our tailoring workshop is in the alley next to our house. I couldn’t see the sky. I feel deprived even of the pleasure of watching the complete sky and breathing fresh air.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the interviewee. Beenafsha is the pseudonym for a 36-year-old woman who worked for a non-governmental organization before the Taliban returned to power.
