I'm a woman! I am all the women of Afghanistan!

Read this story and hear these cries of all Afghan women in the current situation. 

They want to close my eyes.  Cover my face.  Hide my hair.  They want to take my education from me, they want to take my work from me, they want to push me like a horse and appoint a man to hold the reins tight. 

I am the older daughter, a supporter of my family. I am educated, having studied both within my country and abroad. I traveled independently for my work. Now there must be a man to hold my hand. I must be a Muharram and not leave my house without his hand.  
 

My father, my brother, my husband can no longer continue their work and build a life together for our family. Their work is gone along with the embassies, the foreign companies, the charitable organizations, and so many government opportunities.  

I have to become a doll, or rather a donkey with a man in front of me.  My thinking should start with the kitchen and end with the bed.  My life should be nothing more than raising children and serving my husband. 

My years of toil, my day-to-day efforts, the sacrifices, and seeing the death of my classmates as our university was bombed, all have been to continue my education. My years of struggle to find my place must now be left in the hands of those who do not see us as humans, who do not let us live as humans. 

 
Yes, I am a wife!!!  But not weak!!!  I am a woman but not dirty!!!  I am a woman but not a sex slave!!!  I will not let you take my right!!!  I will not let you squeeze the throat of my desires.  I will not let you command how I live.  I will not let you steal my soul. 

I raise my voice to the heavens to defend my rights and I do not sit silently.  I do not blush, I do not surrender, I do not become a slave. 
 
Yes, I am a woman, but not weak!  

Mariam Alimi