I am an Afghan girl with thousands of dreams, and I refuse to give up. The Taliban may have closed the doors of schools, universities, and workplaces to women, but I will continue to grow, to learn, and to fight for my future.
When the Taliban took control in 2021, Sarah was in her second semester at Kabul University. Like millions of Afghan women, she watched as her future was taken from her overnight.
The disappointment was everywhere. Schools closed. Universities shut down. Women were told they could no longer work. The world became smaller, darker.
But Sarah refused to sit in silence.
I want to show the Taliban that they cannot limit us.
She turned to art, pouring her emotions and dreams onto canvas. Within a year, she created a collection of paintings, participated in two exhibitions, and even sold several of her artworks.
Alongside her painting, Sarah dedicated herself to learning and growth.
- She took online English classes, expanding her communication skills.
- She completed an online computer course, mastering different software and digital tools.
- She studied fashion design for four months, igniting a passion for creativity and business.
- She attended seminars on women’s empowerment, later becoming a trainer for women in her own home.
But one of her greatest passions became handmade jewelry making.
In six months, I learned how to craft jewelry professionally. This is something I want to build into a future business—one that represents my homeland and empowers Afghan women.
Despite the challenges in Afghanistan—poverty, restrictions, and a lack of opportunities for women—Sarah remains hopeful.
It has been four years since Afghan girls have been banned from education. The future feels uncertain, and sometimes I wonder if I will ever achieve my dreams. But I know that I must keep trying.
She dreams of representing Afghan women on an international level, fighting for their rights in global organizations. She also wants to expand her art, using painting as a form of expression and resistance.
My teacher and I are planning to create a painting course to help girls in this situation. We want to give them an outlet, a voice through art.
In addition to painting, she hopes to establish her own handmade jewelry brand, crafting unique pieces that celebrate Afghan culture. But she knows she cannot do it alone—she needs support.
I am grateful to my family for standing by me. But I also want to be a supporter for them and for my country’s people.
Her message to the international community is clear:
Afghan girls have been deprived of education for nearly four years. The world must not stay silent. Educated people build strong societies—yet we are being denied the right to learn, to work, to dream. We need both material and spiritual support. We need jobs, scholarships, and educational opportunities.
To the Afghan women and girls who feel hopeless, she says:
Develop whatever talent you have. Show the world—and the Taliban—that they cannot limit us.
And above all, her message is one of hope:
One day, we will finally get what we want. Nothing is permanent. Never give up.
Sarah Latifi stands as a testament to the power of art, education, and resistance. Though her future remains uncertain, one thing is clear—she will never stop fighting for it.
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.
