Fawzia Koofi: Hoping for Change from the Taliban is Naive

In this interview, published on Tuesday (November 12), Koofi referred to the Taliban’s oppressive laws against women, particularly the regulation of "promoting virtue and preventing vice," which regards women's voices as "awrah."

Recalling the changes over the past two decades in Afghanistan, she noted that the difference between today and 30 years ago is that Afghan women now have the experience of living in a more open society. Koofi added: "At that time, women did not resist because they had no experience of a different environment."

She pointed out that during the Taliban's first rule in 1999, there was no official decree banning women's voices in the public sphere, and social media did not exist.

Highlighting the current severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women, Koofi asked: "How can one live in conditions where everything is controlled? How can one continue to live with the fear of what might happen to you and your family if you do not comply with these rules?"

However, she believes that the more rigidly the Taliban act, the more women will turn to resistance and protest. Koofi stated: "When I speak to women, they tell me they have nothing left to lose; they have already lost everything."

She also expressed concern over the global community's lack of attention to the situation of Afghan women, saying: "We do not want the world to make policies for us; we will do that ourselves. We will mobilize people and shape our narrative. We only need the support of the international community and the creation of joint strategies."

She emphasized that the political independence of Afghan women must be recognized.