By: Zahra Mosavi
In contemporary Afghan history, many days have been intertwined with suffering and resistance, yet some shine like radiant gems upon the chronicles of women’s struggle for freedom. 11th of Mehr 1401 (October 3, 2022) stands among those unforgettable days—a day when the courageous daughters and women of the Justice-Seeking Movement in Mazar-i-Sharif raised their voices against the tyranny and oppression of the Taliban, despite all threats and obstacles.
This brave act was far more than a street gathering; it was a clear demonstration of the unbreakable will of Afghan women standing against one of the most ruthless and heavily armed regimes in modern history. The night before the protest, the Taliban had deployed special forces—including Red Units, Badri, and Omari battalions—across the city to suppress any sign of dissent. Yet, the determined women of Mazar-i-Sharif, by relocating their gathering four times, successfully challenged a regime armed to the teeth. This act reflected their intelligence, courage, and ironclad resolve.
The protest on 11th of Mehr became a symbol of resistance against enforced silence, proving that women’s voices cannot be silenced by walls, guns, or prisons. By taking to the streets, they sent a message not only to the Taliban but to the world:
- Afghan women will never relinquish their rights;
- Justice and freedom cannot be suppressed by force;
- And resistance, even in the harshest conditions, remains possible and necessary.
The symbolic power of that day lies in how, despite siege and threats, young women raised their voices and wrote a new narrative of female courage—a story where defenseless bodies stood as a wall of faith and resolve against an army armed to the teeth. They proved that true power lies not in weapons, but in faith in justice and steadfastness to one’s ideals.
Remembering that day is not merely recounting an event; it is a reminder of our historical responsibility: to keep the flame of resistance alive, to honor the women who took to the streets, and to continue the path they opened.
Three years have passed, yet the echoes of the Justice-Seeking women of Mazar-i-Sharif still resonate through history. Their voices, like a beacon in the 
darkness, illuminate the path for future generations and inspire all who believe in freedom, equality, and human dignity.
On the anniversary of this remarkable stand, we are reminded that:
- No power can silence the voice of justice;
- No wall can withstand the will of women fighting for freedom;
- And no oppression can extinguish the dream of liberation.
11th of Mehr is not just a date in Afghanistan’s history—it is a day of global women’s resistance against tyranny, a day that must always be remembered, so that generations to come know how the daughters of Mazar-i-Sharif stood against darkness and kept the light of hope burning for all of us.
