BAHARİN  LEHİB

Kapisa – Afghanistan's is surrounded by high mountains across much of its provinces, with mighty rivers flowing from them, creating a stunning natural landscape. Yet behind this natural beauty lie harsh living conditions. In the mountainous regions, multiple families often live together in neglected and mostly old houses inherited from previous generations. In some parts of the country, traditional tribal culture still prevails; decisions made by village councils or elders’ committees remain binding for the wider community.

They strive to make their voices heard

The majority of women in Afghanistan struggle for survival under a male-dominated social structure and layers of oppression. Despite the dominance of fundamentalist ideologies and patriarchal order, Afghan women have resisted for years to defend their most basic rights. Even in the remotest villages surrounded by mountains, women continue to raise awareness and make their voices heard.

With her mother’s support…

Sadaf Ahmadi from Kapisa province is just one of the millions of Afghan girls affected by the Taliban’s rise to power. When the Taliban took over, she was a 10th-grade student; but like many other girls, she was prevented from continuing her education. With her dreams of schooling cut short, Sadaf had to help her mother at home. Her illiterate mother, however, recognized Sadaf’s thirst for knowledge and encouraged her to teach her siblings how to read and write. Thus, even though Sadaf’s own educational journey was interrupted, she continued to be a light for others.

Sadaf’s verses turned into rebellion

Her mother’s encouragement led Sadaf to books; as she read, her interest deepened, and in time, this passion carried her into writing poetry. In her own words, she embraced poetry as a way to empower women and as a form of resistance during Afghanistan’s dark nights. Through her verses, she poured her hope and defiance onto the page.

Speaking about the theme of her first poem, Sadaf says: “My first poem, ‘I Am the Daughter of This Land’, was about self-confidence. Because I believe girls and women are much stronger than they think. They should not get used to the Taliban government or follow in their footsteps.”

Sadaf shared one of her poems with us, recited in her own voice.

 

I was a bird that fell, with broken wings.

But my soul was never broken,

With my small beak I tended to my wounds,

And I rose again.

Not once, not twice—but over and over again…

Now, in the skies of life, I fly stronger than ever.

I am a woman,

I am the daughter of this land.

My roots are in the soil, but my eyes are always on the horizon.

I fell a hundred times, I rose a hundred times,

It was not defeat;

They were chains pulling me back.

But today I am here,

Stronger than ever before.

More ready than yesterday…

And tomorrow, I build with my own hands,

I am a woman.

And this… is my beginning.