International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, is a global occasion dedicated to recognizing the achievements, contributions, and rights of women. It is a day to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political progress while also raising awareness of the ongoing struggles they face in achieving gender equality. However, for me, this day is more than just a celebration—it is a painful reminder of the limitations, hardships, and injustices that many girls, including myself, continue to endure.
This day reminds me of the restrictions that are created by my homeland. The place where I was born should have been a source of joy and growth, yet it became a place where every girl has to fight just to learn. For many children, school is a place of happiness—a place to explore, learn, make friends, and dream. But for us, it was taken away. Instead of running in schoolyards and laughing with classmates, we were locked inside our homes, looking at books in an attempt to study. We became prisoners in our own childhoods, like birds trapped in cages, stripped of their wings before they could even learn to fly.
I still remember that day. Like every other morning, I walked into my classroom telling myself, forget everything—focus on your future. I looked at my classmates, their faces filled with motivation and determination, and I felt proud. We were all trying so hard, despite the conditions. Then, our teacher entered the room suddenly, his voice heavy with sorrow. He hesitated before saying the words that change our world:
“From this moment on, girls are not allowed to study. You must leave immediately—they are coming.”
At that moment, time stood still. My heart pounded as I saw the expressions on my classmates’ faces transform from excitement to devastation. Just minutes ago, their eyes were filled with hope—now, they brimmed with tears. The words on the classroom board were wiped away, just like our dreams. “The Taliban will go,” people used to say. But they didn’t. And what if they never do? Will my father marry me off before I even get the chance to fight for my dreams? Will I become just another illiterate housewife, my ambitions buried under forced traditions?
No. I refused to accept that fate. I had dreams—big dreams. I wanted to be a voice for the voiceless as a leader, to make sure the world heard us loud and clear. If I couldn’t study in my homeland, I would find another way. I knew leaving my country would be painful, but I had to do it—not just for myself, but for every Afghanistani girl whose dreams were stolen. I refused to give up. No matter how difficult the journey, I would rise. I would fight. There have been moments of despair when I thought, If only I were a boy, maybe life would be easier. But I have learned that life is full of both falls and flights. We rise when we are tired, we continue when we are discouraged, we smile through our tears. I believe that justice will come, that change is possible, and that no force can stop a determined girl—except God.
In conclusion, we as girls are stronger than the injustice and violence that try to silence us. We are stronger than the forces that tell us to give up on our dreams. Yes, we have seen darkness, but we believe in ourselves and in a brighter future. This dream will never disappear from my mind, because I believe in freedom. I believe in change. I believe in success.
So once again, Happy Women’s Day to me, to you, and to every woman fighting for her dreams.
– ‘Akira’
Letter received from our students participating in our Mentorship program. Name and text altered for protection of our students and for grammatical changes.
