In her own words. Zahra was in ninth grade when the Taliban returned to power.
I was in ninth grade when I heard the news. Fear spread quickly through our community. Families rushed home, people hid important documents, and everyone wondered what would happen next. Soon, we found out.
Girls were banned from attending secondary school. Women were given strict dress codes and restrictions on where they could go and how they could live. People who had worked with organizations that the Taliban opposed went into hiding. We witnessed and heard stories of people being detained, beaten, and disappearing from their communities. The future that I had imagined for myself suddenly seemed impossible.
As a girl, I experienced these restrictions personally. One day, while walking in public wearing modest clothing, Taliban members stopped me because they did not approve of the color of my outfit and this happened multiple times for me. Even though I had followed the rules, I was still questioned and intimidated. It was a painful reminder that, under Taliban rule, girls and women could be punished simply for existing in public spaces.
Another source of fear was my involvement in scouting before the Taliban takeover. Scouting had taught me leadership, teamwork, and service to my community. However, the Taliban viewed scouts with suspicion. I became afraid that my participation would put my life at risk. I destroyed my scout uniform and any documents that connected me to scouting because I knew that being identified could have serious consequences.
Eventually, I had the opportunity to leave Afghanistan through an educational program. However, even leaving the country was dangerous. At the border crossing into Pakistan, Taliban guards checked names and documents. When they looked through their records, they found my name on a list.
I remember standing there as armed men questioned me. One of them pointed his gun directly at my chest. I thought that my life might end at that moment. They accused me of activities that could make me a target, but they could not find any evidence against me because I had destroyed anything that could identify me. I answered their questions carefully and remained calm, even though I was terrified inside.
After what felt like hours, they allowed me to cross the border. As I walked away, I realized how close I had come to losing everything, not only my education, but my future.
These experiences changed me deeply. They taught me resilience, courage, and the importance of standing up for what is right even when it is difficult. They strengthened my belief that education is a basic human right and that girls everywhere deserve the opportunity to learn without fear.
Although the Taliban tried to limit my future, they also showed me how powerful hope and determination can be. Today, I carry those lessons with me. They remind me to value every opportunity I have and to use my voice to advocate for those who are still unable to speak freely.
