Marzia
International Women’s Day has come and gone, but Afghan women continue to have to fight for their most basic rights. In fact, we continue to face disrespect and street harassment on a daily basis. I believe a true day of celebration for women will be when the millions of Afghan women and girls can walk on the streets of our country in peace and without fearing their countrymen. I hope that International Women’s Day will be an excuse for us to remember our commitment to equality and that my story of harassment will serve as a reminder.
It was near evening when I arrived Pule Khushk area in Kabul. As you may know, this is a very crowded area. I was walking quickly so that I would arrive home before sunset. Near the traffic square, I suddenly felt something touch my leg. I looked back and saw a middle-aged man on his bike. His clothes appeared torn and his face was tired. He seemed to be on his way home, like me. This led me to assume that his bike had touched me mistakenly so I walked away from the path as to let him bike ahead of me. He continued biking behind me. After a few steps, I felt the same pressure against my leg. I looked back and saw the same man but I ignored it and continued walking. He continued to touch my leg with his bike. Eventually I lost my patience.
“Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?” I asked.
He didn’t say anything and continued following me. I decided to take a cab to be at peace and get home faster. The cab driver, who had witnessed the harassment, looked at me as if I had committed a crime. Throughout the ride he continued staring at me with questioning eyes.
I felt so exhausted. I wanted to yell out the fact that I am tired of being harassed, being questioned and being disrespected. I sat back as my anger turned into silent tears. No one knew how I was feeling, not even the two women sitting next to me. I thought about how hard life is for women given at times our biggest dream is to live without harassment for one day and how lonely we are in our silent corners without allies and supporters.
Read this article in Persian here.