From Oppression to Opportunity: Mah's Journey of Freedom and Resilience in Wales

In a poignant reflection of the current state of women's rights in Afghanistan, Mah, a young woman who escaped the oppressive regime of the Taliban, shares her bittersweet journey as she begins her GCSE in English in the UK. "I am happy for myself. I am safe. I have freedom. I am free," Mah states, highlighting the stark contrast between her life now and the lives of her friends left behind in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban regained control of the country three years ago, the situation for women and girls has deteriorated dramatically. The regime has imposed severe restrictions, banning women and girls over the age of 12 from attending school and prohibiting them from participating in most university entrance exams. The oppressive atmosphere extends into the workforce, with beauty salons shuttered and women barred from accessing public spaces such as parks, gyms, and sports clubs. Despite her newfound freedoms, Mah grapples with the emotional weight of her situation. "I don't put my picture on [WhatsApp or Instagram] stories when I'm happy, when I go out with friends or when I'm in college," she reveals. "Because I don't want my friends [back home] to feel like: 'Oh she's in the UK now - she has freedom.'" This sentiment underscores the deep connection she maintains with her homeland, even as she navigates her new life in Cardiff. Mah's aspirations reflect a hopeful future. She dreams of becoming a midwife in Wales, seeing her education as the first step towards that goal. Yet, she is acutely aware of the harsh realities faced by her peers in Afghanistan, who remain confined to their homes with little hope for change. "It's hard for me because I can go to college here and I can go to work. But at the same time, back home, my friends who are the same age can't leave the house," she emphasizes, illustrating the stark duality of her existence. The Taliban has attempted to justify its ban on women's education by claiming religious grounds, asserting that women would be allowed back into the educational system once the curriculum is deemed "Islamic." However, as time passes, it appears that little progress is being made, with Afghanistan standing out as the only nation in the world to impose such sweeping restrictions on women's education and freedom. As Mah embarks on her educational journey, her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of women in the face of adversity. It also calls for urgent attention to the plight of those left behind, as their dreams and aspirations are stifled by a regime that continues to deny them basic rights. In a world where education is heralded as a fundamental human right, the struggle for Afghan women's rights remains an unfinished narrative, demanding global awareness and action.