My name is Frishta. I am 22 years old, and I live in Kabul. Since childhood, I have been interested in sports, especially Taekwondo, and I had a dream of completing my education and one day becoming a lecturer.
Before August 2021, I was a student at Kabul University, studying social sciences. But when the Taliban took over, universities and schools were closed to girls, including myself. I was forced to stay home.
After some time, I got married and started living with my husband, my mother-in-law, and my brother-in-law with his wife and children. And then, those who had only one semester left at university were allowed to return and receive their graduation documents. Luckily, I was among them!
The restrictions imposed on all women are upsetting – we are being deprived of the freedom to study and work. Day by day, we begin to see ourselves as weaker due to the limitations, and our capabilities diminish. However, it gives me strength to know that I was a university student, and I graduated. That gives me hope – waiting for the day when I can put my education to good use and make a meaningful impact in my society.
All of us still hope that the situation will change and that we will regain our freedom and independence – that we will have a progressive, educated and developed society. I keep myself motivated, believing that, one day, there will be significant changes.
When I joined Women for Women International’s Stronger Women, Stronger Nations program, my goal was both to learn and to teach. My participation feels like a way to resist the bans on women’s freedom. Our trainers are highly respected and provide excellent lessons. I have learned many valuable and transformative skills in professional, social and economic life. I have gained knowledge about health and well-being, pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, women's rights, violence against women and the rights of people with disabilities. The social empowerment classes have had the greatest impact on my life, and I am eager to share all these learnings with other women in my community – even under these restrictions. I share my new knowledge with my family, relatives and community to support my Afghan sisters who have been deprived of such program.
My wish is that the women who are learning alongside me in this program will not stop here. We will learn various vocational tracks, gain skills and support ourselves and our families through small businesses. We will become self-sufficient.
I would like to contribute financially to my family. I want to work and have an income. But more than that, I want to bring change. I want to help the girls who cannot go to school. I want to take them out of illiteracy. If girls can read and write, they will become self-sufficient, help their families and strengthen society. When I stand in front of my female neighbors and relatives who are forced to stay home and I teach them – I feel stronger. It gives me more power and makes me feel happier.
I dream of the day when the doors of universities and schools reopen for girls so they can have access to education!
To the world, I say this: There should be global attention and accountability to ensure the progress and empowerment of women. We are still here – do not forget the women of Afghanistan.
