1000 Days of darkness — Assembly

For 1000 days, the Taliban have banned Afghan girls from the classroom. Four young women in Afghanistan share their thoughts on the ongoing crisis in their country.

This article is published in partnership with More to Her Story, a newsroom dedicated to improving the odds for women and girls.

As the world moves forward, women and girls in Afghanistan are living under gender apartheid. This week marks a grim milestone — 1000 days since the Taliban banned education for girls above the sixth grade. The decree, which came into effect in September of 2021, has shattered the hopes and dreams of millions of Afghan girls.

The global push to recognize gender apartheid as an international crime has gained substantial momentum, with support from the highest levels of the United Nations and governments around the world. Even so, it’s deeply troubling that, in 2024, the world has allowed nearly three years to pass while women and girls in Afghanistan are treated inhumanely.

Each day, I am heartbroken that the lives and futures of women and girls are not prioritized at the highest level. Yet, I am also profoundly inspired by the resilience and determination of these young women to rise above their circumstances, no matter how bleak.

The voices of Afghan girls must be amplified. Their stories must be heard, and their rights must be defended. The world cannot afford to be silent for the sake of future generations of girls and women everywhere.

On this day, here are some messages from Afghan girls to the world:

“No one can truly understand what Afghan girls are going through. We are deprived of even the smallest social rights and have all become prisoners. This situation is worse than being in prison because we do not know when we will be freed. Today, no girl in my country has a smile on her face; we are all engulfed in despair. Will we ever be freed from this suffering, or will the next generation endure the same pain? Why is the global community silent and slowly accepting such a regime?”

— Noor, 23

“Every night, I wonder what will happen. I tell myself it’s going to be okay but it’s not. It’s not okay for me. I have dreams, I have passion... but they burn away, day by day.”

— Fatima, 19

“The number of suicides is increasing day by day. Almost one woman has committed suicide every day this week.”

— Aydin, 21

“Do you know that every minute, an Afghan girl is deprived of her right to education? This alarming statistic is not just a number but a loud and clear call to address the rights of Afghan girls. Together, let’s work towards a better and more promising future so that every girl can turn her dreams into reality.”

— Maryam, 18

Editor’s note: Noor, Fatima, Aydin and Maryam are pseudonyms.