Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, they have tried to display a moderate face. But, as each day passes, their true nature surfaces.
The Taliban claim to have changed in their point of view towards women 鈥 and Western experts and analysts have given support to their claims 鈥 however, from the very first day it was clear that nothing had changed. And once again, women will be their very first victims.
In response to the repression by the Taliban, a surge of protests have started in many cities.
The first protest rally of women was held on September 1, in Herat city, followed by Kabul, Mazar and Nimruz. No organisation or political party has taken responsibility for these protests and the protesters try to hide their identity to avoid Taliban retaliation.
The protesters hold handwritten placards against the Taliban and for the freedom of women. One of the placards went viral, asking the people of Afghanistan: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid, we are all together!鈥 And on the next day, another group of protesters slightly changed the same text, this time addressing the Taliban: 鈥淏e afraid, because we are all together!鈥
319 - Women protesting the Taliban on Sept 8.jpeg
One of the protesters, who didn鈥檛 want to reveal her name, said: 鈥淭he human rights and women鈥檚 rights have been violated by Taliban. We are here to express our objection and raise our voice.
鈥淣obody can put us in the cage! We will continue with our struggle and will never stay silent. We want to study in any field, work in any field and be part of political movements.
鈥淣o regime can suppress us.鈥
The Taliban took control of Panjshir valley on September 6, with the support of Pakistani fighter jets. Two days earlier, Faiz Hameed, Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan, made a sudden trip to Kabul and caused uproar among Afghan citizens for supporting the Taliban and interfering in Afghanistan鈥檚 internal issues.
Thousands of woman protesters gathered on September 7聽in front of the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, chanting: 鈥淧akistan, leave Afghanistan!鈥, 鈥淧akistan go back!鈥
They walked towards the presidential palace where Taliban militia tried to disburse the protesters by firing guns in the air. They arrested some of the protesters and journalists.
However, nothing stops women and today the protest goes on.
319 - Women protest the Taliban September 8.jpeg
