Editor’s note: AWWP writers in Afghanistan have begun collecting oral stories from women in Afghanistan, in particular women who are illiterate and cannot write their stories themselves. The women’s stories are recorded, transcribed, and translated into English by our writers and then edited for publication. Simultaneously, the AWWP staff in Kabul has produced a radio broadcast centered on these oral stories and on the topic of widows’ rights under the law and Islam.

Oral Stories Project 1: Widows (March 2013)

1. An Interview with Mena, Whose Husband Went off to War
2. Shakila: A Life to Tolerate
3. Gulchehra: Something That Happened When I Was Young
4. Friba: The First Wife
5. Manizha: A Stepdaughter’s Tale

Oral Stories Project 2: Education (July 2013)

• Frozan: I Don’t Want My Children to Become to Us
• Laila: I Tell My Sons, “You Have to Study”
• Marya: Married at Thirteen
• Shazia: We Faced Taliban and Poverty
• Sunia: My Son Sells Soup
• Alham, Marya, Tamana G., and Tamana M.: Four Educated Women

Oral Stories Project 3: Women in Business (September 2013)

• Masooma: Home Business Is a Family Affair for a Mother of Six
• Rahima: The Disabled Taylor
• Zahra H.: A Girl Learns Independence Making Makroma Bafi
• Zahra J.: Sharing My Craft Helps My Country
• The Woman Who Changed Herat’s Silk Industry, by Lida

Oral Stories Project 4: Love and Forgiveness (November 2013)

• Bahara: Kindness Can Create a Good Life
• Delaram: Not All Must Be Forgiven
• Manijha: Telling Stories at the Sandaly
• Nooria: My Father Taught Compassion
• Shayesta: A Good Family Respects Elders

Oral Stories Project 5: Maternity and Childbirth in Afghanistan (July 2014)

• Bamiyan Moms Want Both Boys and Girls
• Whatever Men Want Is What Happens
• Multiple Wives Means More Children
• If You Go to Hospital You Will Regret It
• I Just Keep Delivering
• A Private Hospital Birth
• First Time Pregnant: I Think Doctors Should Help
• One Daughter in a Happy Family
• The Herat Maternity Clinic
• Nine Children Enough for Young Mother

Oral Stories Project 6: Ramadan (July 2014)

• Layjward: Nothing to Put on a Napkin
• Nilofar: Help Me with a Box of Oil
• Rahima: No Dates for Iftar
• Sayara: Long Days of Ramadan
• Shayma: A Glass of Water
• Zakia: Fasting Is Difficult without Nourishment
• As told to Zohra N.: Three Women in Kabul

Oral Stories Project 7: Gender Violence (December 2014)

• Help Raise Our Voice, by Hamida as told to Leeda
• Never Give Up, by Bebe Gul as told to Humaira G.
• I Give My Daughters Happiness Now, by Korari as told to Sayara
• Gender Violence Is Increasing, by Sanobar as told to Sayara
• A Girl Is Denied Medical Treatment, by Sadiqa as told to Safia
• The Nonsense Talk Creates Violence, by Raihana as told to Leena
• Two Wives, by Shabana as told to Leena

Oral Stories Project 8: Human Rights (February 2015)

• I Am Just a Poor Woman, by Mahtab as told to Humira
• Thank You for Listening to Our Voices, by Fatima as told to Tasala
• A Woman’s Life Is So Violent, by Goolsboshra as told to Fatima
• A Brother Kills, His Sisters Pay the Price, by Bibi Gul as told to Tasala
• Human Rights Provide All Opportunities to Men, by Parween as told to Humira
• Raise Your Voice, by Aziza as told to S Anonymous
• No Rights for the Orphans, by Shaaperai as told to Humaira
• Fear of Disgrace and Tumult, by Hamida as told to S Anonymous
• It Starts with Us, by Mizgan as told to Fatima
• Equal Rights Is Only a Slogan, by Maliha as told to Humaira 

Oral Stories Project 9: Our Daily Lives (April 2015)

• Do Not Stay Home: Go Out and Learn!, by Bibi Gul as told to Story
• Happiness Is Feeling Safe One Day, by Gol Makai as told to Humaira
• An Illiterate Maid Asks for Respect, by Karima as told to Zuhal
• Washing and Cleaning, by Sakina as told to Zakia
• The Unequal Divide of Illiteracy, by Shako Riya as told to Fatima M.
• Taliban Did Not Let Girls Go to School, by S Anonymous as told to Zuhal

Oral Stories Project 10: Women Under Burqa Talk About Women’s Rights (September 2015)

• No Matter the Age, Women Are Always Victims of Violence, by Fatima as told to Majabeen
• I Ask the Government: Please Hear Our Voices, by Freba as told to Oranos and Malalai
• I Had a Dream of Becoming Literate, by Hajera as told to Oranos and Malalai
• My Brother Chose My Husband for Me, by Khadija as told to Storay
• A Baby Girl Is Sometimes Thrown Away in a Box, by Malika as told to Storay
• My Husband Follows Taliban Rules in Our House, by Paikar as told to Manizha
• The Teachers Inspire Me to Let My Girls Learn, by Shaima as told to Oranos and Malalai
• I Regret Forcing My Daughter to Marry at Sixteen, by Shajan as told to Majabeen
• When I Go Outside I Wear the Blue Burqa, by Shukriya as told to Storay 

Oral Stories Project 11: Illiterate Afghan Women Tell the Impact of Discrimination in Their Lives (April 2016)

• Married at Twelve, a Fifty-Year-Old Mother Cannot Forgive, by Adela as told to Leeda
• My Father Said He Loved My Brothers More than Me, by Asma Gul as told to Manizha
• My Father Always Said, “Just Learn to Cook” by Bibi Gul as told to Khadija
• Supporting Five Daughters Becomes a Woman’s Responsibility, by Fatimah as told to Karima
• Women Against Women: A Demonic Mother-in-Law, by Karima as told to Humaira

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