Key Points
- It’s been more than 600 days since school doors closed to girls in Afghanistan.
- Afghan women at home and abroad say the Taliban treats them as ‘second-class citizens’.
- They say Australia has capacity to ‘restore hope’.
Liza Azizi was all set to finish high school when the Taliban took control of Kabul nearly two years ago.
She and her family were swiftly evacuated to Australia, where today she feels “lucky” to have the opportunity for an education.
Now a Year 12 student enrolled at St James College in Brisbane, Liza says she dreams of being “an educated woman” who can “change the lives of thousands of people”.
“In the next 10 years I want to be a strong woman and an activist. I want to complete my bachelor degree and PhD in law, and then share the message to the members of the community that men and women are equal,” she told SBS Dari.
While Liza is planning for a bright future in Australia, millions of girls in Afghanistan do not have the right to study or work.
Liza Azizi (second from right) during an award wining ceremony at St James College in Brisbane. Credit: Supplied
“Unfortunately, when I think about my friends in Afghanistan who do not have the right to education, it is very difficult for me,” Liza said.
“I am in contact with many of my classmates but unfortunately they are very disappointed and have lost hope.”
Taliban leaders and universities for women, but many say the situation “feels hopeless”.
‘Second-class citizens’
Roya Dadras believes the Taliban has no intention to reopen education pathways to women.
Roya, who served as the spokesperson for the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan for about six years and now lives in Brisbane, says the Taliban consider women as “second-class citizens” who need to stay home to raise children and serve their men.
“[The Taliban] are not educated people and are also not in favour of other people's education either,” she said.
“In my opinion, the only solution is the international community putting pressure on the Taliban. There is no better solution. Countries that currently support girls can allocate more scholarships to girls so that they can get out of Afghanistan.”
Roya Dadras (centre) during a conference on the future of women in Afghanistan. Credit: Supplied
"The Taliban have also decimated support systems for those fleeing domestic violence, imposed restrictions on women's clothing and their freedom of movement (not allowing women to appear in public without a male guardian or mahram), and contributed to a surge in the rates of child, early and forced marriage in Afghanistan," she said in a statement supplied to SBS Dari.
Marwa* (name changed) had anticipated completing her bachelor's degree in law from a private university this year. However, she is now unable to even contemplate a graduation date.
“Now, we are concerned that doors of university will never be open for us again,” she said.
“Our demand from the world is to not leave the Afghan girls alone. We need support during this challenging period. We hope others will advocate for our rights and exert pressure on the Taliban to once again grant us the opportunity to pursue our studies.”
‘Hard to imagine’
Tahira Alizada Pezhwak has a bachelor of literature from Kabul University and worked with local media in Afghanistan for about nine years.
She now hopes to complete her master’s degree in Australia. However, she had to go to great lengths for the opportunity.
Tahira was granted an Australian visa a few days after the fall of Afghanistan, but did not arrive at the airport in time for evacuation by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Tahira Alizada Pezhwak (right) during her graduation from Kabul University. Credit: Supplied
She remembers the day Taliban took hold of the nation’s capital.
“I will never forget those hours, minutes and moments. Every time when I close my eyes and imagine that day, then I may not sleep well for a few nights and live with stress and anxiety,” she said.
“Those who were educated and employed, the mothers whose children were studying or working, were the ones who suffered the most that day.
“If this continues, the Afghan women who have paid a heavy price will pay a heavier price,” Tahira said.
Nikita White from Amnesty International Australia explains how the Taliban have targeted women’s rights defenders.
"Many have been arbitrarily arrested, with no legal remedy, no access to their families, no information regarding the reason for their arrest, and their whereabouts remain unknown," she said.
Now happily living in Australia, Tahira hopes to seize the opportunity to “do something for myself and other women in Afghanistan”.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, more than 11,000 Afghans have arrived in Australia since the fall of Kabul.
“The Australian government is committed to supporting the Afghan community, with 16,500 places allocated for Afghan nationals under the Humanitarian Program, delivered over the next four years (4,125 places per year between 2022/23 – 2025/26)," a Home Affairs spokesperson recently told .
‘Significant demand for assistance’
Maryam Popal Zahed is the founder and director of Afghan Women on the Move, which supports newly arrived Afghan women to learn critical life skills such as driving, swimming and leadership.
“These will empower them to navigate their new environment with confidence and autonomy, creating a brighter future for themselves and their families,” she said.
Maryam Popal Zahed (left), the founder and director of Afghan Women on the Move. Credit: Salty Dingo
“I am eager to collaborate and support Afghan women, but my current position does not provide the necessary resources to make a significant impact,” she said.
Maryam says there is a “significant demand for assistance” in Afghanistan, and she believes Australia can help.
“Australia has the capacity to actively contribute to restoring hope and implementing tangible measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Afghan women,” Maryam said.
