An 18-yr-vintage Afghan scholar endured Taliban scoffs and insults at the weekend as she staged a solo protest in opposition to the ban on girls attending college.
“For the primary time in my life, I felt so proud, sturdy, and powerful because I turned into standing in opposition to them and stressful a proper that God has given us,” Marwa told AFP, asking now not to be further identified.
Women-led protest have emerge as increasingly more rare in Afghanistan because the Taliban’s return — mainly after the detention of core activists at the start of the 12 months.
Participants risk arrest, violence, and social stigma. But Marwa became adamant.
Her sister shot a video of the silent protest with a cellphone from a car as Marwa held up a poster simply metres from the entrance to the Kabul University campus, the u . S .’s largest and maximum prestigious group.In their modern assault on women’s rights, the Taliban remaining week banned university schooling for girls, prompting international outrage.
Some ladies have attempted to protest the ban, however they were unexpectedly dispersed.
On Sunday, in front of Taliban guards deployed on the Kabul University gates, Marwa courageously carried a placard that read “Iqra”, the Arabic word for “read”.
“They stated surely horrific matters to me, but I stayed calm,” she said.
“I desired to reveal the strength of a unmarried Afghan girl, and that even one person can stand towards oppression. When my other sisters (girls students) see that a unmarried girl has stood against the Taliban, it will help them rise and defeat the Taliban,” Marwa stated.
While the Taliban promised a softer shape of the guideline after they again to electricity in August ultimate year, they’ve alternatively imposed harsh restrictions on girls — efficaciously squeezing them out of public life.
On Saturday, government ordered all useful resource groups to prevent girls employees from coming to paintings.
Secondary faculties for women had been closed for over a yr, while many women who lost their authorities jobs are being paid a fraction in their salary to stay at home.
Women have additionally been barred from going to parks, gyms, and public baths.The Taliban say the restrictions are because girls aren’t looking at a strict Islamic get dressed code, including sporting hijabs.
The country has turn out to be a jail for girls, stated Marwa, who dreams of turning into a painter.
“I don’t want to be imprisoned. I even have huge desires which I want to acquire,” she stated. “That’s why I decided to protest.”