
Dear Women of the World
We are no longer weak. We are the mothers of the future and what mistakes our mothers made we will not repeat. We will not let anyone steal our dreams: we will snatch them back and tell them this isn’t yours.
We are no longer weak. We are the mothers of the future and what mistakes our mothers made we will not repeat. We will not let anyone steal our dreams: we will snatch them back and tell them this isn’t yours.
The dream I have for her, Inshallah, is for imagination
that I grew up with in this world. She is 3 years old now
and I will place her in school when she turns 7.
I wish…
I could be the hands to touch you all the time.
I wish I could be your smiles to glow on your face all the time.
She is the mother, the daughter,
the wife, the sister.
Today is the day to speak of her.
We will rise like a bird in the blue sky of Afghanistan to bring peace
We will shine like a star in the dark sky of Afghanistan to bring brightness
There is a saying in Dari: Zanhai ewar hech waqtai jor na mai ayand—”Two wedded brothers’ wives never manage to stay in one house and live a comfortable life.”
My father combed my hair, held my school bag so my back wouldn’t hurt.
They taught me our traditions, our culture, life.
And struggled to find me the right man.
When Zohra was 20, she became engaged to her true love. Six months later, in March 2007, her wedding day arrived. The wedding went well. In her dress, Zohra looked like a beautiful doll. She was happier than she ever imagined she could be.