BAHARIN LEHIB

Kabul- A women's handicraft exhibition was held at the Afghanistan International Expo Center in Kabul between November 13 to November 25. Men were not allowed to visit the exhibition controlled by the Taliban. NuJINHA spoke to Nilofar Fakhri, one of the women participating in the exhibition to display and sell their products.

“I never went to school. I only did household chores and raised my children until my husband fell sick. He was the only breadwinner of our family and could not work anymore. So, I decided to support my sick husband and children. I learned how to sew by attending a sewing course. I came to Kabul to sell my products and the products of her neighbors,” said Nilofar Fakhri.

 Two women were arrested

Two exhibition participants were arrested by the Taliban for protesting the ban on men. Nilofar Fakhri said, “Two women were selling food at the exhibition. Since men were not allowed to visit the exhibition, they could not sell their products. They were arrested for protesting the situation. Men are the only buyers in Afghanistan but they are not allowed to visit the exhibitions held for women. The women were arrested for demanding men be allowed to visit the exhibition. After several hours, they came back and participated in the exhibition again. I don't know exactly what happened to them in detention but one of the women did not have good mental health when she came back.”

Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, men have not been allowed to visit the exhibitions of women. Nilofar Fakhri told us that some women decided to not participate in the exhibitions because they could not sell their products.

“The Taliban have banned women and girls from schools and universities and from working. The only thing we are allowed to do is to participate in the exhibitions; however, the Taliban ban men from visiting the exhibitions of women because they do not want women to be seen by men. No matter how much we are oppressed, we must not give up. We should struggle.”