For the women of Afghanistan…
Shamsiah Hassani is Afghanistan’s first female graffiti artist. Her manager confirms she is safe. Her art depicts the life of Afghan women in a male dominated society; the most recent post says only “Painting with a broken heart.”
As the US ends its two-decade military operation in Afghanistan, the world is rocked by the speed in which the Taliban has taken back control.
The Taliban seeks to reassure the world that it is the new, moderate and improved Islamic Caliphate. That this time, women will be treated with respect. That their fears are unfounded. That this time, their rights will be honoured, but within the confines of Sharia Law.
Under previous Taliban rule, the women of Afghanistan were forced to stay home, not allowed out unless with a male chaperone, television and music were banned and public executions common.
There are already reports of girls as young as twelve being seized to be sex slaves of Taliban fighters, of brutal and ruthless repercussions against those deemed to have supported the Afghan government and their security forces.
After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, women’s rights in Afghanistan experienced nothing short of a revolution. They could walk freely, they did not require an escort, they did not have to hide under the burqa. Whilst before there were no schools for girls, it’s estimated that today a quarter of a million go to private schools and universities. Millions more attend public school. These same women now fear their hard-won gains will be washed away and their lives lost to history. One female broadcaster is in hiding for her life. One of the country’s first female mayors says she is waiting for the Taliban to kill her.
Zarifa Ghafari, 27 said: “”I’m sitting here waiting for them to come. There is no one to help me or my family. I’m just sitting with them and my husband. And they will come for people like me and kill me. I can’t leave my family. And anyway, where would I go?”*
Some art, activist, journalist and photography Instagram accounts to follow, that by their own admission are designed to give a voice to the voiceless, include @afshinismaeli, @maliha_z_art, (above) @magnumphotos, @Bushra_Ebadi and @amivitale.
