Three Afghan women talk to ELLEmagazine about fighting for their freedom—and the right to live—under Taliban rule. MsReads
Three Afghan women talk to ELLE about fighting for their freedom—and the right to live—under Taliban rule.This month marks the first anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. But in a country crushed by unprecedented humanitarian crisis, there isn’t much to celebrate. Countless jobs lost, the banking system in turmoil, and half the population—nearly 20 million people—suffering from dangerously high.
While on assignment for ELLE, I sat down with three women in Afghanistan whose lives have been turned upside down over the last year. We are withholding their last names for safety purposes. Roshana, a former employee for the Ministry for Women’s Affairs, is searching for a better future after being furloughed. Malalai, a fashion brand manager, fears for her life after narrowly escaping the Kabul airport attack.
Every week, Roshana goes to sign a presence sheet in the parking lot of what used to be her office so that she can receive her monthly salary of approximately $125. “I worked so hard for the people of Afghanistan, and I lost everything,” she says. “I wanted women to have a place in all parts of society, including in politics.
Although she studied medicine, Malalai had always dreamed of working in fashion. Her job at ZAAN—a local brand with an innovative take on traditional Afghan designs—was like a dream came true. “We had more than 20 women doing embroidery, and I could choose the patterns, draw designs, and choose the colors,” she remembers with a smile. But Malalai comes from an ultra-conservative, rural area. Her relatives there are affiliated with the Taliban.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
In video, Afghan woman accuses Taliban official of rapeThe woman, who identified herself only by her first name Elaha, appeared in a video on social media and said a senior Taliban official forced her into marriage and raped her repeatedly.
Read more »
Afghan mosque blast kills 18, including pro-Taliban clericAn explosion tore through a crowded mosque in western Afghanistan on Friday, killing at least 18 people. including a prominent cleric close to the Taliban. At least 21 people were hurt.
Read more »
Year in Review: The Taliban in PowerIn the year since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, human rights were curtailed, women were relegated to their homes and the country plunged into economic crisis.
Read more »
Caretakers Accused of Draining Nonverbal Woman's Inheritance in 3 Months, Burning 2nd Woman: SheriffA Texas couple is accused of forcing a woman into a dog kennel and burning her with boiling water while living off the inheritance of a different nonverbal elderly woman.
Read more »
Former PC vice-president sues party execs following talks with Sask. UnitedSome PC insiders say people associated with the Saskatchewan United Party attempted a takeover.
Read more »
2 residents of California assisted living facilities die after separate accidental poisoning incidentsA woman in the San Mateo facility, operated by Louisville-based Atria Senior Living, believed she was getting fruit juice when it turned out to be dishwashing liquid.
Read more »