Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pakiza Munir. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Pakiza , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
What made me decide to become an education and social advocate?
I came into this world during a time when the dark shadow of Taliban rule cast a long, suffocating pall over Afghanistan. From my earliest memories, my mother’s words painted a vivid picture of their brutality, particularly for women like us. She recounted the clandestine schools tucked away in homes, where my sisters dared to pursue education despite the risks. To ensure their opportunity for learning, my mother embarked on a courageous journey, leaving behind everything she knew to seek refuge in a distant province. Her unwavering determination ensured that my sisters could continue their education, a testament to her resilience.
The Taliban’s reign was marked by a relentless onslaught against joy and freedom in Afghanistan. They wielded their power like a blunt instrument, silencing music, extinguishing laughter, and shuttering the doors of schools. Their presence loomed like a specter of fear, suffocating any semblance of happiness. Conversations with elders who bore witness to their earlier regime revealed a chilling truth: they may have existed, but true life, with all its vibrancy and vitality, remained elusive. Born into a family deeply rooted in the military, where each morning resonated with the stirring strains of the national anthem and every sight of a military uniform stirred a profound sense of patriotism within me. Yet, this love for my nation was not born out of blind loyalty but forged in the crucible of fear, uncertainty, and instability brought about by the Taliban’s threats to my family and to the people of my country. Their resilience in the face of adversity inspired me to follow in their footsteps, to champion the cause of education for girls and defend the freedom of our land.
Growing up within the nurturing embrace of a highly educated family, shielded from the Taliban’s oppressive grip by the sacrifices of my kin, instilled in me a profound sense of duty. I was taught that freedom was not merely a privilege but a fundamental right worth fighting for, regardless of the risks. Armed with a free spirit and a deep love for my country, I found it impossible to remain silent in the face of tyranny. When the Taliban seized control for the second time, I refused to surrender to their brutal regime. I am grateful for the freedoms afforded to me by my parents as a girl, for the opportunity to raise my voice and make my own decisions. My parents’ unwavering sincerity in imparting essential rights and values laid the foundation for my advocacy. Their teachings, combined with my unwavering beliefs, fortified my resolve to resist oppression and fight for a better future. In their honor, and in defiance of the Taliban’s tyranny, I proudly bear the mantle of an advocate for education and freedom.
When the Taliban seized power for the second time, I made a choice not to become a victim. I refused to stay silent and endure. The thought of being stripped of basic rights just because I’m a girl – denied education, barred from working or even stepping outside alone – was unbearable. Silence, to me, equated to surrender, and I was not willing to succumb to such injustice and brutality.
I watched in dismay as the dreams of countless girls were shattered, feeling a sense of helplessness and despair wash over me. The horrors I had only heard about became my stark reality, leaving me uncertain about everything except one thing: I refused to remain silent and accept this fate. I was determined to fight with all my might to ensure that girls could access education, even if it meant risking my own life.
Pakiza , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
How does it feel to live under the regime of the Taliban?
Living under the regime of the Taliban is nothing short of a nightmare. I’ve heard countless stories and witnessed firsthand the devastating impact it has on individuals, families, and communities and specially girls and women.
Women are forced into child marriages, robbed of their childhoods and futures. The ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan has left many women uneducated, depriving them of opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Families torn apart as they flee their homes, leaving behind everything they own in a desperate attempt to escape the Taliban’s oppression. Individuals, girls and women unjustly thrown into jail without reason, their voices silenced by fear and intimidation. The trauma inflicted by the Taliban’s rule runs deep, robbing people of their ability to laugh and find joy in life. The moment it was announced that Afghanistan had fallen under their control, I saw the fear and disappointment in my mother’s eyes, and I felt it in my own heart. Overnight, everything changed – people’s lives, their dreams, even
the way they dressed. Living under their rule feels like being dragged back to an ancient era where every aspect of daily life is dictated by someone else. Women and girls bear the brunt of this oppression, their dreams and aspirations crushed under the weight of Taliban tyranny. Graduations become distant dreams, first days of school turn into unattainable fantasies.
The Taliban’s draconian measures extend to every facet of life – from banning TV channels and closing cinemas to shuttering parks and denying women the right to work or travel freely. It’s a suffocating existence, where even the length of a woman’s scarf or skirt is determined by someone else. Afghanistan has become a landscape where dreams are
buried, voices are silenced, and untold stories remain unheard. For women, it’s like living in a jail, where hopelessness and helplessness reign supreme. The thought of having to fight for basic rights all over again is beyond imagination, especially for a generation that has tasted freedom over the past two decades.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
What challenges does an Afghan activist go through?
An Afghan activist faces immense challenges and risks in their pursuit of advocating for change and fighting against injustice in Afghanistan. Despite the pervasive sense of insecurity that blankets the country, the life of an activist is particularly fraught with fear, trauma, and unpredictable dangers.
Activists brave every real threat to their lives by taking to the streets and boldly proclaiming their demands for education, work, and freedom in Afghanistan. However, their courageous actions often result in brutal consequences. Activists are frequently subjected to physical violence, beatings, and arbitrary detention by the Taliban. They are
treated with disdain and cruelty, their basic human rights violated with impunity. The life of an activist is characterized by constant stress and a total lack of stability. Whether they are advocating on the streets or using social media platforms to amplify their message, any form of activism that challenges the status quo or campaigns against the Taliban
invites persecution and retribution. Despite the personal risks and sacrifices they endure, an activist’s commitment to their cause leaves them with little semblance of a normal life. Their existence is consumed by the struggle for justice and the relentless pursuit of a better future for their fellow Afghans.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
What keeps me hopeful to keep on doing what I do?
What keeps me hopeful in the face of worsening circumstances and the world’s indifference to Afghanistan’s plight is the unwavering belief in the power of our cause. Despite the darkness that surrounds us, I see a glimmer of hope in the individuals who stand with us, who share our vision for a better future.
I firmly believe that it is now more crucial than ever for Afghan women to rise and challenge the brutality that seeks to oppress us. Even if it means risking our lives, we must stand firm in our determination to fight for our rights. While I understand that Afghanistan requires comprehensive reform and that my individual efforts may seem insignificant, I take solace in the impact I can make, no matter how small. Every single life that I touch, every woman that I empower, is a victory against the forces of oppression. I am convinced that every voice raised against Taliban brutality is a powerful force for change. I am hopeful that our collective resilience and efforts will eventually compel the Taliban to relent, to bow down before the tide of freedom fighters who refuse to be silenced. I believe that if we unite and amplify our voices for this cause, the Taliban will be stripped of their courage to continue their oppressive rule. As an advocate for education, I do what I can with the resources and opportunities available to me. I hold onto the belief that with unwavering intention and steadfast faith, change will come – but only through action, not through silence and hopelessness.
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