Introduction
The Voice of a Woman Amid Darkness and Hope is a reflection of women who, at the height of oppression and despair, rose bravely for justice and freedom. Sumaya Shirzad is one of those women who, with unwavering courage, stood against the Taliban’s gender-based tyranny. Despite being arrested, tortured, threatened, and forced into exile, she never remained silent and became the voice of voiceless Afghan women. This conversation captures part of her life and resistance — a testimony to both the brutality of the Taliban and the bravery of Afghan women.
Methodology and Research Team
This interview was conducted in writing and online on July 12, 2025, between the researcher and the interviewee in a safe, encrypted space. To preserve the authenticity of her words and prevent distortion, all responses are presented exactly as shared. The interview was carried out in accordance with ethical research principles and with the informed consent of the participant.
- Author & Content Editor: Nasrin Faramarz, independent researcher with an MA in Criminal Law and Criminology
- Coordinator: Hoda Khamosh, writer and founder of the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement
1. Please introduce yourself and tell us why you decided to protest.
I am Sumaya Shirzad, from Balkh province. I began my civil activism in 2010. Alongside my official duties, I tried to be a voice for justice. I never remained silent in the face of injustice and never accepted oppression. I have always worked for equality and justice — both during the Republic and under Taliban rule.
2. Can you describe your protests?
Together with colleagues in Mazar-e-Sharif, we organized three consecutive street protests. The first demonstrations were held on September 6, 7, and 8, 2021. We came out to demand our most basic human rights and to raise our voices for justice. We declared that we would not accept the Taliban’s dictatorship.
Our slogans were:
- A gender-segregated city reeks of decay.
- Education and employment are our undeniable rights.
- We will not be silent.
- Women are not second-class humans.
- We will not remain quiet.
We marched toward the governor’s office in Balkh, chanting these slogans. Along the way, we faced Taliban violence. They blocked us with guns, but we kept moving forward. The Taliban kidnapped local journalists but released foreign reporters. One Taliban official demanded we enter the governor’s compound, which we refused. We shouted: “Release the journalists! We have nothing to say to you.”
On Ahmad Shah Massoud Avenue, one journalist was beaten and his camera smashed. The Taliban threatened us not to film and tried to prevent media coverage. They insulted women with obscene language and dispersed us with lashes. Many of us managed to escape and hide.
3. When were you arrested by the Taliban? What was your experience of arrest and transfer to prison?
On September 8, 2021, during the protest in Mazar-e-Sharif, I was responsible for writing the slogans. The night before, we coordinated in a group and decided to participate. My mother encouraged me, saying: “You educated youth have the right to raise your voices.”
On protest day, the city was heavily militarized. Taliban were everywhere, whipping women. After I filmed the situation, they lashed my legs and back. I went into hiding. Later, with the help of activists like Atiya Mehraban, Fariha Isar, and Hoda Khamosh, I fled to Kabul. For about 20 days we lived in a safe house in Azizi Tower. But the Taliban eventually found us and transferred us to prison, where many other protesters were also detained.
4. Were you tortured while in prison?
Yes. The Taliban treated us inhumanely. They interrogated us day and night. Female Taliban staff inflicted psychological torture. They threatened us, saying we must be ready for any kind of torture. They forced us to give false confessions on camera to crimes we had never committed. They threatened: “Your mouth and nose will be smashed.” They told us we would be stoned.
During forced confessions, they hit my shoulder with a rifle and said: “Lift your head, your face must be clearly seen.” We had no access to proper food or clean water, no lawyer, and no contact with our families. Our only crime was demanding human rights.
5. Was your young son with you in prison?
Yes, my little son Subhan was with me. He was deeply terrified of the Taliban, and his mental state deteriorated. Each time I was taken for interrogation, his condition worsened. The painful memories of prison remain with him to this day, and I worry greatly about his future.
6. After your release, how did your personal and social life change? What is your current situation?
After prison, I was no longer the same Sumaya. The stigma and people’s attitudes were very painful. The Taliban forced us to pledge not to protest again against the “Islamic Emirate.” But I believe in freedom and cannot stay silent. If I fall into Taliban hands again, I will certainly be killed.
7. How did you feel when you were forced to make a false confession?
It was a terrible feeling. Despair overwhelmed me. I worried constantly about my mother and my son’s future. After my release, my family had to pay a heavy price to save my life.
8. Did you witness the Taliban’s treatment of other women prisoners?
Yes. The Taliban treated some women differently. For example, Nadima Noor, known as Patangar, received special privileges and respect. She was given colored paper and pens to write women’s stories. We feared our information might reach the Taliban, so some writings were secretly destroyed.
9. In your opinion, how can the international community and human rights organizations support protesting women?
The international community and human rights organizations must put political pressure on the Taliban. They should document and publish evidence of torture and abuse against women protesters, and pursue justice for them in international courts. Safe shelters must be created, asylum processes for Afghan women — especially protesting women who are victims of Taliban violence — must be expedited. Financial and legal support for these women is crucial.
10. If you could send one message to the women of Afghanistan and the world, what would it be?
As an Afghan woman, though I have been a victim of Taliban violence, and even now live in exile with my young son under dire conditions without any support, I never surrendered to tyranny and injustice. I never remained silent. My message to you: Do not remain silent. Stand firm. Our voices are the hope of tomorrow.
Final Words
The story of Sumaya Shirzad is not just the voice of one woman; it is the echo of the suffering and resistance of thousands of Afghan women. Recording and sharing these stories is a step toward justice, documentation, and the fight against historical erasure. May these voices pave the way toward justice and a brighter future.
