In this episode of The Afghan Times Podcast, we welcome Fariha Istalifi, a young Afghan woman who has faced immense challenges but refuses to give up.
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Following the Taliban’s ban on women’s higher education, Fariha was left with limited options. Initially, Afghan women were permitted to study only midwifery or nursing. However, in December 2024, the Taliban’s supreme leader imposed further restrictions, banning these fields as well—effectively shutting down one of the last remaining educational and professional opportunities for women in Afghanistan.
Determined to continue her education, Fariha enrolled in a midwifery program in 2023. However, studying under Taliban rule came with strict conditions. Female students were required to fully cover their faces and hands, male teachers were prohibited from instructing them, and gender segregation was strictly enforced. Taliban monitoring and limited resources further complicated access to education for Afghan women.
Despite these challenges, Fariha remained resilient.
A constant fear among all female students was that the doors of educational institutions might once again be shut to them. Sadly, this fear became a reality, and the bitter truth repeated itself for Afghan girls,”
Fariha
The situation worsened in December 2024 when the Taliban also banned midwifery centers, shutting down one of the last professional fields available to Afghan women. This decision has not only crushed the aspirations of many but has also placed the lives of Afghan mothers and newborns at risk, as access to maternal healthcare continues to decline.
Still, Fariha did not give up. While pursuing her studies, she also taught at a private school for young girls. Every day, she stepped into the classroom with passion, knowing that girls above the sixth grade were banned from attending school. It was heartbreaking, but she remained determined to teach, inspire, and keep hope alive.
For Fariha, Afghan women are not just victims of oppression—they are fighters. They continue to resist, refusing to be silenced.
Afghan girls never stopped learning, and we never will. We will keep fighting for our education, for our future. To the world—I ask you, please do not ignore us. Help us reopen our schools and universities. Help us restore our midwifery centers. We need your support.”
Fariha
Open Mic is The Afghan Times podcast, where Afghan women share their stories in their own voices, on their own terms—open to every Afghan woman.
