Women's fight for democracy in Afghanistan

Recently at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), under the leadership of Prof. Jolanta Drzewiecka of the Institute of Communication and Public Policy, a closed-door encounter was held featuring Shakiba, a representative of the independent socio-political women's organisation Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), who explained the critical situation in Afghanistan to the students and shared her experiences and the activities carried out by the association of which she is a member.

The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) is an underground organisation that was founded in Kabul during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. It was established in 1977 by Meena Keshwar Kamal, a student, to give a voice to oppressed Afghan women with support from various intellectuals in the country. RAWA's goal was to engage a growing number of Afghan women in social and political activities that promote women's rights and contribute to the fight for a government based on democratic and secular values in Afghanistan. Despite the oppressive political climate, RAWA soon engaged in a wide range of activities across various socio-political spheres, including education, healthcare and political agitation. Before the Soviet-led coup d'état in April 1978, RAWA's efforts primarily focused on advocating for women's rights and democracy. However, following the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in December 1979, RAWA became actively involved in the resistance against the occupation. This mission continued after the US intervention in 2001. Today, RAWA has evolved beyond simply advocating for women's rights; it has transformed into a humanitarian organisation that champions freedom and democracy while providing assistance to the poorest segments of the population.

Shakiba is an Afghan woman who has been a member of RAWA for several years. Recently, she travelled around Europe, meeting with politicians and visiting schools and universities to remind Western countries to stand by the Afghan people and not to recognise or support the Taliban regime. Since the event of 2021, many people are wondering what has changed in Afghanistan over the past three years. "Since the fall of Kabul and the Taliban's takeover on 15 August 2021, Afghanistan has taken another step backwards," Shakiba recounted. "The regime has created an atmosphere of violence, making it impossible to discuss freedom and progress. Religious extremism has led to women being banned from schools, and this ideology has even infiltrated the once world-renowned university in Kabul, where only men are allowed access. Moreover, even men are not safe from the regime's oppressive actions. For example, all those who were part of the government have been removed and replaced with Taliban soldiers. All the intellectuals who remain in Afghanistan face significant risks; most live in anonymity due to constant threats. After 2021, nearly all educated individuals fled the country. This situation favours the Taliban, who, by exploiting people's ignorance, always find new followers, managing to keep the nation in a state of war. Of course, the state of war does not allow people to be educated, so the cycle keeps repeating itself. But one thing has changed in these 20 years: women. We have started to resist, marching in the streets and protesting. Despite facing arrests, violence, and even killings, we continue to stand firm. We understand that the regime fears us, which is why they attempt to silence us".

Shakiba's current engagement in Europe indicates that the struggle waged by RAWA and segments of the Afghan population transcends national borders. This struggle also extends into the virtual realm. "It is crucial to raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan. In this regard, social media plays a vital role. First and foremost, these platforms allow members of RAWA to stay connected. More importantly, they help to showcase the reality of life in the country to the world. Much of the content that emerges online is genuine, even if it may seem too shocking to be true. The protests, violence, and poverty depicted are all real. This contrasts with the more polished images that some tourists might share, portraying an impression that everything is fine during their holidays. These idealised portrayals exist because the Taliban do not interfere with tourists; they recognise that tourists bring money and allow them to have their experiences without obstruction. The Taliban's primary enemies are the Afghan people, not tourists. It is part of their strategy to present an image of normalcy in Afghanistan to the world. Additionally, the regime understands the influence of social media, which is why there are also regulations concerning social media among the strict laws they have implemented. For example, a recent law states that no living beings may be filmed in the media. In Afghanistan, new and restrictive laws regarding women, media, and journalism are passed daily, and one thing is certain: these laws will continue to become stricter. Therefore, in addition to traditional newspapers and television, monitoring content on social media is also important".

Before saying goodbye, Shakiba turned to a more personal topic: what gives her the strength to continue fighting. "It is no longer news that we have been fighting underground for over forty years. We have taken many risks and lost many members along the way. We start from scratch each time, but we will never stop fighting. If we were to stop, nothing would change. By continuing, I am sure that something will eventually change. We believe that if we did not resist or fight, no one would come to give us the freedom and democracy we are striving for. We are a symbol of hope for many people, and if we were to lose hope, how could we inspire hope in others? We remain optimistic and never lose faith; that is why we continue our fight."

These words, coming from a person who risks her life to help those around her and to spread information about the ongoing gender apartheid in Afghanistan, resonated strongly with the USI students in attendance.