Arezo

Hello, my name is Arezo, and I am 17 years old. I am a student at ********* in Quetta, Pakistan. We have been living in Pakistan for three years, and I enjoy studying and learning, especially about science. Alongside my studies, I participate in various extracurricular activities, including essay writing competitions and playing on the school volleyball team. Despite the lack of necessary facilities, we have fun because of our strong passion for learning. I love discovering new things and spending time with my friends at school.

I also have a passion for calligraphy, which I’ve been practicing for about five years. It allows me to express my creativity and find peace amidst challenges. Each stroke of the pen feels like a journey, turning words into art and bringing beauty into everyday life.

Additionally, I enjoy creating handmade art, especially woolen sweaters. In my free time, I make and sell these sweaters, aiming to become independent and help support my family financially.

Before moving to Pakistan, we lived in Kabul, Afghanistan, where I studied at Marefet High School. However, due to warnings from the Taliban, I had to leave school and continue my education elsewhere. When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, many people, including some of our friends and family, immigrated to foreign countries. Our family, along with my aunt's family, came to Pakistan.

Since the Taliban’s takeover, my school environment has changed drastically. I was in 8th grade, excited about my future and passionate about becoming a doctor. However, shortly after their rise to power, my school, along with all other secondary schools for girls, was shut down.

I've faced several challenges, including the lack of access to education as my school remains closed, with no clear timeline for reopening. Safety concerns persist, and there's constant fear of persecution from extremist groups. Economic instability has also made it difficult for my family to afford alternatives like tutoring. The uncertainty of my educational future has caused me great stress and anxiety.

We came to Pakistan to continue my education, but one day, the Taliban came to our school and announced that girls wouldn’t receive graduation certificates. This caused despair among us.

When I first entered my school in Pakistan, I noticed there wasn't a library. Drawing from my experiences in Kabul, I spoke to the school staff, and with their permission, my friends and I helped build a library. It was fulfilling to create a space where students could read and learn.

I remain hopeful that the Taliban's perspective will change and that they will allow girls to pursue education and attend university. We need support to avoid enduring these difficult conditions any longer, as time is slipping away, especially for the girls still in Afghanistan. We all have dreams that can only be achieved through education.

Sharing my story is empowering because it raises awareness about the difficult situation girls in Afghanistan face under Taliban rule. It brings attention to our plight and could lead to support and advocacy for our right to education and freedom. I believe that sharing our experiences is essential, as it can inspire others in similar situations to find hope and strength. With support from the international community, I am empowered to continue voicing my story, hoping that it will eventually lead to positive changes for all girls in Afghanistan.