The following article was written by Pakteen* as part of our article series “Life under the Taliban”. Women and men from different parts of the country and with different perspectives and realities tell us their stories of how, despite all the adversity, they do not lose hope for a better future. Pakteen lives in Kabul and is a social science researcher.
People in Afghanistan suffer every day
In addition to sharing my personal experiences living under the Taliban for the past three years, I also wish to shed light on the situation in Afghanistan as a whole. Before the Taliban’s takeover, I was a hopeful young man, passionately pursuing my education and dreams of contributing to a better Afghanistan. However, since August 15, 2021, my homeland has become a vast prison, stifling the aspirations of many, especially the youth, like myself. Over the past three years, I’ve witnessed the erosion of rights, especially for women and girls, as schools closed and despair spread. Many friends fled, leaving behind their homes and dreams, while those of us who remain grapple with hopelessness and fear. This experience has profoundly changed my outlook, filling me with a deep sense of isolation and longing for lost opportunities. By sharing my story, I hope to highlight the harsh realities faced by countless Afghans, particularly young people, who continue to fight for their dreams in the face of overwhelming challenges.
For three years, I’ve struggled under the Taliban regime, which, masquerading as the Islamic Emirate, operates as an extremist entity imposing an unacceptable dictatorial system. Most young Afghans have a sense of increasing fear, violence, and harassment that makes them feel like they are not from their country. The regime’s actions violate basic human rights and freedoms, severely restricting women’s rights, access to education and employment, and freedom of expression and personal liberty. The fear and violence permeating daily life create a climate of hopelessness, especially for the youth. Such conditions are fundamentally at odds with the principles of dignity, freedom, and opportunity that every individual deserves. Every Afghan is deeply concerned about the significant setbacks in women’s rights, particularly with regard to access to education, the closure of girls’ schools, economic opportunities, and restrictions on freedom of expression. These issues weigh heavily on the hearts of all Afghans.
Many friends have been imprisoned by the Taliban, while others have been forced to leave against their will. Some friends have even had their daughters barred from attending high school and university. Many Afghans, especially those outside of Kabul, suffer daily. Our strong social ties make it difficult to leave families behind, as we deeply value these connections. Unfortunately, many skilled professionals—doctors, engineers, economists, and university professors—have left Afghanistan because of Taliban restrictions. Now, many of them are abroad, struggling to find the opportunities they once had.
Support for the Taliban by foreigners in the country
I’ve noticed that many foreigners who visit Afghanistan seem to support the Taliban, claiming that security and economic conditions are improving daily. However, these visitors often fail to grasp the reality for those living there. Personally, due to my appearance, I have faced numerous challenges. I’ve been stopped and questioned about my clothing and hair, leading to investigations into my background. In Afghanistan, men don’t cut their beards out of personal choice, but out of fear of the Taliban; even in government institutions, it is enforced.
After the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, they replaced the Ministry of Women’s Affairs with the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which further mistreats women and harasses the youth.
While the previous government was flawed and corrupt, it at least offered a glimmer of hope for the future. The current regime has trapped in a state of despair. This situation has left the majority of people in the country facing constant problems and growing more desperate by the day. In our native language, we refer to this situation as “being alive but counted among the dead.” This is not only distressing for Afghans but could also lead to significant problems for the region and the world if it continues.
Dreams have been shattered
We, the youth, dreamed that the Doha Agreement between the Taliban and the US would lead to improved security and a peaceful environment where we could continue our education. We longed for a modern, advanced life with access to diverse amenities and technologies similar to those found in developed nations. Our dreams included a better democratic government, a stable economy, ample job opportunities, sufficient food, modern housing, well-maintained roads, quality healthcare, and an advanced education system.
Sadly, our dreams were shattered. Following the Taliban’s swift and violent takeover on August 15, 2021, human rights abuses and the erosion of democracy began, plunging Afghan youth into a miserable and oppressive environment. The country became a vast prison for many Afghans, especially the youth. As a result, countless Afghans, primarily young people and sometimes their families, have sought refuge in neighboring and Western countries, through both regular and irregular means. Despite facing numerous obstacles and dangers during their journeys—such as harsh weather, lack of food and water, beatings by border guards, deportation, robbery, exploitation by human traffickers, and the constant threat of death—Afghans continue to flee. We have been driven by deteriorating security, the torture of former government and international organization employees, limited access to education and job opportunities, extreme poverty, food insecurity, and the need for international protection.
Forced and early marriages, domestic violence, and countless other hardships became a daily reality for Afghans. International organizations that once tirelessly advocated for rights and democracy were silenced and their efforts erased. Young girls, full of dreams and aspirations, saw their schools and universities closed immediately after the Taliban took control. Education, especially in fields such as science and the arts, became a forbidden pursuit. The Taliban gave various excuses for not reopening schools and universities, periodically raising hopes over the past three years that they would eventually reopen. However, this never materialized, resulting in a profound loss of confidence and hope among the youth to complete their education. As a young man, I believe that the current situation in Afghanistan is the result of long-standing plans. I spend much of my time researching and reading about how my war-torn country can emerge from this deep crisis. There are moments when the weight of it all overwhelms me and I find myself crying in solitude. Those of us who were born and educated in Afghanistan share this profound sadness. Crying is not a sign of weakness; it reflects a deep sense of helplessness in the face of our struggles.
It deeply pains me that neither the international community nor the Afghan warlords trained over the past two decades truly understand the depth of our suffering. Today’s extremists seem equally oblivious to the plight of our people. This disconnect only deepens our despair as we yearn for true understanding and support in these dark times. I wish for a world where our voices are heard and our struggles recognized. I hope for a future where education is accessible to all, where young Afghans can pursue their dreams without fear, and where the international community stands in solidarity with us. We long for a collective effort to rebuild, restore hope, and create a brighter tomorrow for the next generation that reflects the resilience and aspirations of our people.
* Name changed by the editor