Hamida Ahmadi

Women are the flowers of life, who, despite every struggle, plant the tree of justice with the roots of hope.

March 8th is recognized worldwide as International Women's Day, a day that stands as a historical testament to women's resilience, achievements, and rights. Yet, in my country, Afghanistan, this day is neither celebrated nor acknowledged. Instead, it is forbidden, deemed sinful. But no one can erase history. No one can silence the truth.

A woman is a being made of softness, sincerity, love, kindness, courage, and resilience. Yet, in Afghanistan, women are treated as criminals, as property, as mere symbols of "family honor." They have never been granted the dignity of living for themselves. For centuries, they have been denied an identity of their own, forced to exist under the will of fathers, brothers, and husbands. Whenever they try to reclaim their agency, they face violence, oppression, even death.

Women in my country are imprisoned for seeking their rights, for speaking up, for daring to dream. They are abused, forced into marriages, and silenced because their voices are seen as shameful. And yet, despite all this suffering, they stand tall and fight on.

We may not have the deadly weapons of the oppressors, but we wield something far stronger; the pen, the book, the power of knowledge, the unbreakable bond of humanity and friendship. These are the weapons that do not destroy but liberate. History has shown that true victory belongs not to those who rule with guns and violence, but to those who fight with wisdom, justice, and the unwavering belief in a better world.

To all my sisters, to the women of today and the generations to come, know this: We have never been defeatists. Our symbol has always been perseverance and courage. Yes, the road ahead is difficult, but we are stronger than they think. If every door is shut, there will always be a window open. Let us find it together, hand in hand. Let us refuse to let womanhood be a crime.

In these dark times, we must be the light for one another. We must never lose hope. Our voices; the voices of equality, justice, peace, and freedom, cannot and will not be silenced. We are the sun that never hides behind any cloud. No matter the hardships, we will shine, like diamonds in the dark.

We will rise, we will endure and we will win.

About the Author:
Hamida Ahmadi is a 20-year-old Afghan writer whose work blends personal storytelling and activism. Writing became her refuge, helping her process difficult experiences and amplify the voices of Afghan women. She primarily writes in Persian, with some works in English, focusing on justice, resilience, and truth. Her articles have been published on Shisha Media (23) and 8 Subh Media (8). Committed to being a voice for silenced women, she seeks to improve her English writing and collaborate with platforms that will publish her work.