Name: Soheila
Province: Takhar
I completed school in 2017 at Bibi Mahtab Girls’ School in Takhar Province. At fifteen, I became engaged, and at seventeen, I got married.
After relocating to Takhar in 2018, I studied midwifery for two years at the Hayat Institute. I then began working for Shelter Full of International on a WFP project. After about a year, I moved to Kabul for personal reasons and was hired by the Ministry of Finance, where I worked for three years. During that time, I also enrolled in a private university to study economics. I was in my seventh semester when the Taliban closed the university to women.
When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, I lost my job at the Ministry of Finance. I reapplied to my previous organization and worked as a master trainer in Parwan and Kapisa for two years. I was also active in civil society during this time. However, the Taliban sent a warning to the organization, and I eventually lost my job again.
Due to the Taliban leader’s directive prohibiting women from working for foreign organizations, I was unable to find employment. As the only financial supporter of my family—and with my spouse also unemployed—I faced serious hardship.
While unemployed, I continued my human rights work from home. I founded an NGO and expanded its activities after the Taliban’s return on August 15, 2021. I also started a sewing factory that employed around thirty women. We recruited workers through social media and personal networks. Eventually, I built a large clothing factory and secured a three-year contract with Chinese partners.
Unfortunately, as the security situation worsened, the Taliban arrested me on February 3, 2024. Despite the arrest, I continued my work, which led to Taliban intelligence surrounding my home because of my civil activities. I then relocated to Takhar, but the situation deteriorated further, forcing me to flee to Pakistan. I have now been living in exile, disconnected from my life, career, and passions.
