Afghan women spent nearly two years shrouded in darkness following the country’s political upheaval on August 15, 2020. The Taliban forced many to abandon schools and public life, compelling most to wear the burqa and retreat to their homes. Voices were silenced by edicts issued by the group that now governs the nation. Some women managed to escape the immediate danger, while others faced grave risks as radicalism tightened its hold. Yet resilience did not fade; it simmered beneath the surface, waiting for the moment to reemerge in new forms of resistance and leadership.
Their lives paused, but their sense of responsibility to their fellow citizens did not. Public voices, activists, and journalists who went into exile became a kind of makeshift alternative government in exile, continuing to monitor Afghanistan from afar and to advocate for those left behind. They sought to keep the problem visible, to preserve the dialogue, and to push for accountability even from outside the borders of their homeland.
Among the most recognizably influential figures in this diaspora-driven effort is Fawzia Koofi, a leader famous for serving as the first vice president of Afghanistan’s National Assembly. Koofi pressed on with tireless work to challenge terrorism and the political and economic disruptions that followed the Taliban’s rise. Her work earned international recognition and multiple awards, even as she faced threats and attacks that tested her resolve again and again.
Despite obstacles, many in the movement found the exertion exhausting. For women accustomed to speaking with strength and authority, the experience was especially trying. The National Assembly distance was impressive, and yet many members were dismissed from their posts, relegated to the background, or forced into exile by the Taliban regime. In this context, those outside Afghanistan sought to amplify voices and offer support to people who dared to speak out about the country’s future. They worked to contact individuals, politicians, and organizations to ensure complaints reached those who could act. Platforms were created to convey these messages from citizens to decision-makers, and the group Ibérica spoke to Prensa about their mission and approach to bringing attention to Afghanistan’s human-rights concerns.
distant loud sounds
In addition to Koofi, the group includes Asila Wardak, a former diplomat and co-founder of the Afghan Women’s Network; Sofia Ramyar, former managing director of the youth organization Afghans for Progressive Thinking; Anisa Shaheed, a journalist who has reported on the Taliban’s persecution; Nahid Farid, one of the youngest MPs; and Meryem Safi, director of the Afghan Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies. They all describe the feeling of watching loved ones from a distance. “Our hearts are breaking,” Ramyar says to this publication, speaking from her vantage point abroad as she follows events in the homeland.
Ramyar, who was pursuing a master’s degree in the United States when the Taliban took Kabul, remained deeply engaged despite the miles between them and Afghanistan. Two years later, she contributes her NGO and activism experience to the women’s council, helping to craft strategies to assist people who remain trapped inside the country. Her work underlines how external solidarity can translate into practical aid, even when direct access is limited by borders and danger.
Defense of fundamental rights
One of Ramyar’s core responsibilities is to raise the voices of the oppressed and bring them to the attention of the international community. She emphasizes the need to include young women in discussions about the country’s future, asking what Afghan women can achieve within the current framework to change circumstances, defend fundamental rights, and carve paths toward greater participation. Agencies like UN Women have provided consultation on issues related to Afghanistan, helping to map out practical steps and international support strategies.
The women who compose this alliance each pursue different missions, yet their goals converge on a single mission: to ensure that the stories of those silenced by the Taliban are heard and acted upon. Anisa Shaheed continues her journalism to spotlight the Taliban’s persecution and to give voice to the half of Afghanistan whose rights have been compromised. Her work has drawn prestigious recognition, including an award from the International Center for Journalists, which she received after years of reporting under pressure. She has explained that being present where problems arise and making sure those issues are heard is central to her vocation, even in the face of personal risk. The group’s collective effort demonstrates how journalists, activists, and policymakers can collaborate across borders to sustain accountability and press for real-world outcomes for Afghanistan’s women and families.