Two years after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan with a bang and the end of 20 years of war against the US military and its allies, life has changed dramatically for many Afghans, especially women.
As the anniversary of the fall of Kabul approaches on August 15, four Afghans – a businesswoman determined to keep her factory doors open, a farmer relieved at the end of the war, a former Taliban proud to serve the new government and a medical student forced to drop out – told AFP of the impact the changes in the country have had on them.
The entrepreneur struggling to keep her business afloat
Arezo Osmani, 30, was “terrified and sad” when the Taliban returned to power, promising to impose a strict interpretation of Islam.
“I didn’t leave my room for 10 days, I thought everything stopped for me, and it was the same for all Afghans,” says Arezo, who started his reusable sanitary napkin business. in February 2021.
“But when I came out and saw that there was still activity, it gave me hope and I said to myself that I should also stay here”, she continues with a lump in her throat.
Due to the uncertainty that reigned in the country when the Taliban arrived, the entrepreneur, who employed up to 80 women, closed her business. But two months later she finally decides to reopen the doors because the private sector is one of the few places “where women could work”.
Under the Taliban, they were barred from working for NGOs and barred from most civil service positions. Last month, beauty salons – another important source of income for women – were also closed.
“We slowly got used to the conditions, and luckily, as we are a company and we work in the health sector, we were able to continue our work, I feel good now,” she says.
However, the ban on Afghan women working for foreign associations, his main clients, has hit his business hard, which now employs only 35 people.
“Currently, we have no contract, no buyer, (…) if we are not able to sell the sanitary napkins, it will be difficult to continue, but we try to stay upright”, adds this mother of two children.
Despite the difficulties, the entrepreneur remains determined to do what she can for her country, and her women in particular. “Afghanistan and our society need people like us who stay,” she said.
The farmer trying to make ends meet
Rahatullah Azizi is grateful for the improved security brought about by the end of the fighting. Today, as the 35-year-old cultivates a few fields in Parwan province, north of Kabul, he can “move around day and night without worry, thank God”.
“There have been a lot of changes” since August 2021. “Before, it was war, now it’s calm,” he rejoices.
According to an annual report by the United Nations assistance mission in the country (Manua), the armed conflict left around 38,000 civilians dead and more than 70,000 injured in the 2009-2020 period alone.
However, the farmer remains worried.
Afghanistan’s economy, already battered by decades of war, has been mired in crisis after billions of dollars in international aid were cut following the Taliban’s takeover.
Economic output has collapsed and nearly 85% of the country lives in poverty, according to the latest report from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Drought and locust invasions have also ruined some farms in the country.
“People don’t buy our products much anymore,” laments the farmer who cultivates just over a hectare on rented land.
“I used to sell seven kilos of tomatoes for 200 Afghanis (2.15 euros), today I only sell them for 80 (0.86 euro cents).”
In the past, he received income from cereal plantations, but today this is no longer the case.
“I now have just enough to eat, I can’t save money,” adds Rahatullah, who hopes his children will be able to study at university, unlike him.
Taliban fighter turned policeman
For Lal Muhammad, 23, the Taliban’s return to power has brought greater economic stability.
He joined the movement four years ago and fought regularly away from home. Today, he is a police officer in the country’s second city, Kandahar, and earns a salary of around 12,000 Afghanis (128 euros) per month, which is “enough” for his family.
He is happy to have a regular salary, although he never “dreamed of having cars or making a lot of money anyway”.
“My dream was to study and serve in the government of the Islamic Emirate (the name given to the government by the Taliban authorities). I will stay there until the end,” promises Lal. “Thank God they are back”.
The Taliban movement, born in Kandahar, in southern Afghanistan, first controlled the country from 1996 to 2001.
“We are very happy. We have no problems, there is no war or fighting. We are at the service of the Emirate and our people”, proclaims Lal Muhammad.
The former medical student looking for a new future
Hamasah Bawar previously considered his future in Afghanistan and wanted to work in the medical sector. But, since the Taliban took power and forbade girls access to universities, after having closed the doors of secondary schools to them, she only sees hope outside the country.
“The closure of universities has been devastating, not only for me, but also for all my classmates. We are broken and it’s the worst thing you could imagine”, denounces the 20-year-old ex-student who lives in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan.
“If a girl is educated, the whole family will be, if a family is educated, the whole society will be educated (…) If we are not educated, a whole generation will remain illiterate”, deplores Hamasah who had found an internship in a clinic quickly closed by the authorities.
“Because I want a better future, I have no choice but to leave Afghanistan,” said Hamasah, whose mother is a primary school teacher.
Hamasah observed “a big difference” between the previous government, supported by the United States, and that of the Taliban which is not recognized by the international community.
Before, “there was a lot of freedom, today you can’t even go inside the Blue Mosque (a majestic mosque with gardens) to have fun. Today most activities are prohibited for girls and women”.
“Not just me, but all the girls and women of Afghanistan want their freedom back,” she implores.
14/08/2023 14:30:40 – Kabul (AFP) © 2023 AFP
