the harrowing story of an Afghan mother since the return of the Taliban

“Our life ended in August 2021.“ Thus begins the story of Zahar*. This mother who lives in Kabul was a police officer. She lost her job. For nearly two years, the Taliban have ruled the country. They returned to the ultra-rigorous interpretation of Islam that had marked their first passage to power, between 1996 and 2001. And the noose continues to tighten around women : they no longer have the right to work, study or go to a public park.

Zahar* has no one to rely on. The father of her children is a drug addict, like many men in his drug-ravaged country. So to feed her three children, she weaves carpets at home, but that doesn’t bring her enough money. She is satisfied with the minimum and says she is ashamed to say no to her children when they ask for ice cream or candy.

“Like all mothers in the world, I want the best for my children. I want them to be happy, educated, open-minded, free. I just want them to be children. is not possible today.”

Zahar, Afghan living in Kabul

at franceinfo

Exile as the only hope

The hardest thing for Zahar* is to feel totally powerless against the tyranny of the Taliban. She worries about the future of her children and especially that of her daughter who will be deprived of education. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where school is banned for girls.

“My daughter won’t be able to go to school. What will become of her? She will get married, have children and become her husband’s slave… We are not treated like human beings, not even like animals.”

Zahar, Afghan living in Kabul

at franceinfo

In addition to all the prohibitions, Zahar lives in fear. She is part of an ethnic minority, the Hazaras (Shiite Muslims), particularly persecuted by the Taliban, who consider them as adversaries. She fears reprisals.

“The Taliban can knock on my door, shoot us. They have no mercy. I want to escape death, the destruction of my life and that of my children.”

Zahar, Afghan living in Kabul

at franceinfo

To hope to change his life, Zahar dreams of exile: “I want to save them from a dark future. And for that, the only way out is to leave Afghanistan.” But this dream of exile which allows him to hold on is almost impossible to achieve. In Afghanistan, a woman cannot travel alone, not to mention all the complications of obtaining a passport. Zahar is well aware of this but says she is determined to fight to try to find a solution. “I am ready, by all means, to give the best of myself in the new country which will give me and my children the chance to start a new life..“

*Name has been changed for security reasons.