Arzo, a young girl from Afghanistan, is rebuilding her life in Karachi, Pakistan after a traumatic experience. Almost a year ago, overwhelmed by despair, she attempted suicide by drinking acid, which left her severely malnourished. Her siblings tried to help by feeding her through a tube, but she remained as light as a 4-year-old child.
Her story highlights the severe oppression faced by women and girls under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s harsh policies, banning girls from secondary education and severely restricting women’s rights, drove Arzo to her desperate act. To save her, her family fled to Pakistan, where she could get medical treatment which was unavailable in Afghanistan. However, their situation in Pakistan is unstable. The country is deporting undocumented Afghan migrants, and over 600,000 people have been sent back since September 2023, with more deportations expected as visas expire.
Despite the difficulties, Arzo’s situation improved when a non-profit organization provided her with life-saving medical treatment. Doctors performed procedures to widen her esophagus, allowing her to eat solid food again. This treatment has given her a new chance at life, enabling her to sit up, study, and aspire to become a doctor.
However, the threat of deportation still looms over her and her siblings. Pakistan’s strict actions against undocumented Afghans, due to security concerns and increased militant attacks, make life uncertain for many like Arzo. Legal options for resettlement are challenging, and the family depends on external support for their needs. Despite these hardships, Arzo remains hopeful, determined to continue her education, and dreams of moving to a safer country.
Arzo’s story reflects the severe oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban. The Taliban’s strict rules ban education beyond sixth grade, employment, and even simple freedoms like walking in a park. These harsh policies have led many Afghan women to despair, with some, like Arzo, taking extreme actions.
International efforts to address the Taliban’s human rights abuses have been criticized as ineffective. Diplomatic talks have not improved the situation for Afghan women. Some advocates are now calling for stronger measures, such as taking the Taliban to the International Court of Justice or charging their leaders with gender persecution in the International Criminal Court. There are also calls to make gender apartheid a punishable offense under international law.
Arzo’s determination and resilience show the strength of the human spirit. She is learning English and preparing for a future she once couldn’t imagine, driven by the hope that she will one day achieve her goals and live in a country where her rights are respected.
Her story highlights the urgent need for international action to help Afghan women and girls and to hold the Taliban accountable for their oppressive policies. As Arzo continues her journey, her message to other Afghan girls is to stay strong and not lose hope. The world must recognize and act against the injustices they face.