After the Taliban: Hope for the Future

Like so many women of Afghanistan, Wahida views her life in three chapters — before, during and after Taliban rule. Wahida works with CRS in the western province of Herat, managing self-help projects that help women overcome poverty. Wahida has overcome some difficulties herself and has asked that her last name and photograph not be used. Following are excerpts from an informal conversation with her.

Before, During

Wahida was born in the area of Herat but grew up in the capital of Kabul, where she was an active student. She ultimately earned a degree in journalism at Kabul University when times were prosperous and there were more opportunities for women. But that was a short-lived time. Soon after earning a degree, Wahida's world was drastically changed. The Taliban came into power and uprooted the way of life to which she and other Afghan women had become accustomed.

"It was a very bad time for everyone in Afghanistan, but I feel especially sad about the impact that the mujahedeen wars and the Taliban had on the universities," says Wahida, referring to conflicts between several Muslim factions. "Many professors were forced to leave Afghanistan because of the negative opinions of education and professors. The current condition of Kabul University compared to what it was before the conflict makes me very sad."

Wahida had been raised in a family that encouraged her education and achievement. Their support followed her as she made plans to one day build her career, which finally began when the Taliban fell.

"I was drawn to humanitarian work because of the impact it can have on the poor," she says. "I eventually came to CRS so that I could work closer to home. I have had many meaningful experiences."

One of those experiences was in the earlier years of her career, when Wahida was working in a remote district that had no female teachers. No female teachers meant villagers would not allow their daughters to attend school. Wahida decided to take matters into her own hands and began teaching some of the girls after work hours. Years later, several of her students are now teachers, and serve in the area so that more girls can go to school.

And Now, Hope for the Future

It's not only a lack of education that threatens the wellbeing of Afghanistan's women and overwhelms their daily reality. Health care options are wanting in most rural communities, where it is estimated that every 30 minutes, a woman dies of complications related to pregnancy or childbirth. For every 1,000 live births in rural Afghanistan,165 infants die. This is a frightening reality as girls become women and women become mothers. And it's a threat that Wahida hopes is preventable.

Wahida now works with women whose family members face chronic illnesses. Groups of women come together regularly in a safe place to discuss issues or challenges they face, monitor and build their joint savings fund, and share advice for dealing with their family or financial problems. It is a space and time that have become vital to these women as they help each other overcome major obstacles to the growth of their families and stability.

Over the course of months of meetings, Wahida has seen the health of these women and their families improve. Additionally, the promotion of antidrug messages in the groups has led to a reduction in smoking.

Wahida is now married with five children who range in age from 4 to 9 years (including a set of twins), and admits that life as a working mom has its challenges. "It is hard to find as much time as I would like to support my children's education," says Wahida. "When I'm not working, I'm home with my family cooking, cleaning and helping my children with their lessons. I also take an English course and a computer course, so I spend time doing lessons in the evenings."

Wahida says that her greatest fear is a recurrence of war and the return of the Taliban. But her greatest hope remains the continued advancement of women and the Afghan people through education and peace.

"The biggest challenge facing Afghan women is that of the education gap. Women are in a position to take on a greater leadership role, but have such poor education that they are not able to do as much as they should for the advancement of Afghanistan. On the other hand, the strength of Afghan women lies in their determination to improve themselves with formal education and skills training. One important thing that people outside Afghanistan should realize about Afghan women is their determination to support themselves and their children. They are more independent than they are given credit for."