The condition of women in Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse. There is also a ban on leaving their house alone. In such a situation, those women who live alone are forced to come out posing as men.
The life of Afghan women has completely changed under the Talibani rule. Many restrictions have been imposed on them, they are not even allowed to leave the house alone. If it is necessary for women to go out, then it is necessary to have a man with them. In such a situation, difficulties have arisen for those women who are divorced or live alone. These women now come out of the house dressed like men, so that no one recognizes them.
‘If recognized, then death is certain’
UAE website ‘The National’ has told the story of a divorced woman who is forced to live like a man. This woman did not reveal her real name for fear of Taliban, but instead expressed her compulsion in the name of famous writer Rabia Balki. Rabia said that one has to get out of the house for some work or the other, but if Taliban fighters see a woman alone, then death is certain. That’s why I step out of the house in a men’s getup.
eyes down all the time
Rabia further said, ‘I wear a loose shirt, pants, traditional turban before stepping out of the house. While walking on the road, my eyes remain low, so that no one recognizes me in any way. The Taliban decree that no woman should go out alone. In such a situation, if he recognizes me, then death is certain. Expressing her grief, she says that it is a crime to be a woman in Afghanistan, especially after the arrival of the Taliban, the situation has become worse. If you are a single mother or a divorcee, then every breath has to be paid for. I am 29 years old divorcee and mother of a daughter. At present, we are living in hiding in Kabul.
pressure for second marriage
Rabia told that after the capture of the Taliban, her ex-husband had asked to hand over my daughter to the Taliban. I was also pressurized for a second marriage, but I did not listen to either of them. Before the Taliban occupation, I used to work in the office of an NGO. Fearing Taliban, I came to Kabul. He said the difficulty escalated in December when the Taliban issued a decree that no woman could leave the house alone. It is necessary to have a Mehram (some mail ie male guardian) with him. Autos and taxis also started being checked. After that I had to mold myself like a man.
opposed the Taliban
Rabia told that she also opposed this decision of the Taliban. He dressed like Afghani men and posed for photos with a friend, which he posted on social media. Caption given- I am a woman and I have no mail guardian. After this some women demonstrated against the Talibani decree on the streets of Kabul. I too joined them. Some women gave us online support. One of these names was also of Lily Hamidi. We wanted to tell the Taliban that they cannot suppress our voice for long.
forced to hide
He told that the Taliban recognized him after the protests. After that Lily’s identity is not known till date. Rabia said, ‘The Taliban came home searching for me and arrested them and took them along. Asked and slapped me about the other protesting women. However, later abandoned. I have been hiding till now with my daughter. I walk the streets of Kabul dressed as men and avoid making eye contact with anyone. The mask remains on the face.
