The Day I Was Accepted Into Medicine, A Message to Girls Deprived of Kankor

Note | Dr Karima Azam, Head of the Northern Women Protest Movement

On the day the Kankor results were announced, I could not see my result because the internet in Afghanistan was weak. I asked my friend in Moscow to check the result.

A few minutes later, she called and happily said, “Congratulations! You have been accepted into medicine.”

I cried tears of joy and performed a prayer of gratitude. Being accepted into medicine was the greatest dream and love of my life.

I remember this memory today because I know the same dream lives in the hearts of thousands of Afghan girls, girls who are now deprived of the right to education, Kankor and university.

I too was deprived of education in Kunduz during the first period of Taliban rule. At that time, I continued my education in home schools and with a mullah. Despite all the difficulties, I never lost hope.

To all girls of Afghanistan, I say:

never give up on your dreams. Hope is the first step towards every victory.

No situation is permanent. A day will come when the doors of schools and universities will reopen to all girls of this land, and you will reach your dreams with dignity and pride.