In this section, we listen to the voices of women who have courageously
spoken out about their lived experiences. These interviews reflect not only
the pain of exile and repression, but also the resilience, hope, and
vision for freedom that define this movement.
Each conversation is an effort to document the truth—to amplify voices that have repeatedly been silenced. Here, women speak from behind forbidden lines—about days of protest, about arrests and underground life, and about the enduring dream of returning to a free homeland
We Are Not Silent Victims — We Are Defiant Fighters
The Story of
Resistance by Aziz Gull Afghanbik, a Student Protester from Afghanistan
Introduction
In the Interviews section
of the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement website, we echo the voices of women
who, in the darkest days of religious tyranny and gender apartheid, broke the
silence, raised their voices, and took to the streets. These conversations
document the resistance of women who chose courage over fear and hope over
despair—despite threats, violence, and torture.
The first feature in
this section is an interview with Aziz Gull Afghanbik, a young
student, protester, and leadership board member of the Afghan Women’s Justice
Movement. Since the very first days of the Taliban’s return to power, Aziz Gull
has been on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom and justice. Despite
enduring serious threats, she has never wavered in her fight.
With honesty and
courage, she speaks about her personal journey—of fear and hope, silenced cries
on the streets of Kabul, and the spark that keeps her resistance alive.
This is not just the
story of one woman—it reflects the unwavering will of thousands who continue to
carry the torch of hope in the face of darkness.
Interview
1. Please introduce
yourself and tell us about your protest and civil activities.
In the name of justice
and freedom—I am Aziz Gull Afghanbik from Maidan Wardak province, a
protesting student and a member of the leadership board of the Afghan Women’s
Justice Movement. Before the Taliban took power, I was studying Educational
Management and Civil Engineering in Kabul, while also volunteering in
children’s education and healthcare. After the Taliban’s return, I was forced
to stop studying. On November 15, 2021, I joined the movement to fight for
women’s rights and freedom.
2. Why did you decide
to protest, and what challenges have you faced?
I chose to protest
because I refused to be a passive victim. The biggest challenges were serious
threats from the Taliban, family opposition, and the constant risk of being
arrested or assassinated. Many of my fellow activists were brutally harmed, and
I have also lived under constant threat.
3. What must women’s
protest movements do to ensure the international recognition of gender
apartheid in Afghanistan?
We must use every tool
at our disposal to expose the truth: document our protests, tell our stories,
remain firm in our demands, and preserve our independence. These efforts can
compel the world to acknowledge the reality of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
4. What should the
international community and the UN do to protect Afghan women’s fundamental
rights?
They must stop
legitimizing the Taliban. Instead of pursuing power-centered policies, they
should seek just solutions and provide meaningful support for Afghan women’s
rights.
5. Do you believe the
women’s protests in Afghanistan have achieved any tangible outcomes so far?
Yes. Our protests have
unmasked the Taliban’s true face. The international community has not formally
recognized the group, and global awareness of Afghan women’s situation has
significantly increased.
6. What is your advice
for creating a united and powerful voice among Afghan women’s protest
movements?
Unity, consistency,
and coordination. We must avoid internal divisions, act strategically, and
amplify our voices in alignment with each other and the world.
7. Has the
international community or the United Nations succeeded in protecting Afghan
women’s rights so far?
No. They have
failed—but their failure doesn’t mean Afghan women have given up. We will
continue our resistance.
8. Knowing the risks
of detention and torture, how did you find the courage to protest?
We knew from the
beginning how dangerous this path would be—but we chose it with awareness and
resolve. I fight not just to physically survive, but to live with dignity and
purpose.
9. Do you have a plan
for continuing your protests?
Yes. Even when the
streets were filled with fear, we recorded our protests on mountaintops and
hills. We continue to plan and find ways to keep the struggle alive—wherever
and however possible.
10. How did you first
learn about the movement and join it?
I found the movement
through social media. My first participation was at a press conference held in
the Pul-e-Sorkh Library in Kabul.
11. What motivated you
to take part in the protests?
The unbearable status
quo, isolation, and the pain of Taliban-led misogyny. I didn’t want to be a
silent victim.
12. Do you remember
your first protest? What did you feel?
Yes. I felt fear and
courage at once. Despite strong opposition from my family, I joined—because I
believed I must be a voice for justice.
13. What kinds of
threats have you faced from the Taliban or others?
I’ve faced constant
threats—surveillance, identification, mysterious assassination attempts, and
the risk of arrest by the Taliban have been ever-present.
14. In your darkest
moments, what helped you keep going?
The memory of our
imprisoned sisters, the hope for victory, and my deep belief in justice. We
will never surrender—because Afghan women do not deserve this fate.
15. If the world could
hear one message from you, what would it be?
Legitimizing the
Taliban is a betrayal of humanity. We, the women of Afghanistan, are not silent
victims—we are defiant fighters, standing until the end.
