On the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of our country  I remember that bitter and painful day  the day everything collapsed. It was the beginning of a dark chapter and so many hardships in our lives, and sadly  those hardships continue to this day

I lost the position and job I had worked so hard for My husband also lost his job  We both have higher education yet we are unable to find work or use our knowledge and skills to build a better life. Unemployment and the economic struggles in our family have become a painful reality.

The dreams and hopes I once had for my future have slowly turned into disappointment and despair I will never forget this dark day in our history and I sincerely hope that these difficult times will not continue.

When I was forced to give up on my own dreams  my greatest hope became that at least my daughter, who is currently in the second grade  would not be deprived of her education. I pray that she will be able to continue studying and achieve the dreams that I could not achieve.

If this situation continues  it becomes difficult to find meaning in life. I pray to Almighty God to bring freedom and dignity back to our lives and to free us from this painful oppression  where even being a woman has become a reason for restrictions and suffering

May the day of freedom and justice come soon Until then  I will continue to hope and pray for a better future for myself  for my daughter  and for all the women and girls of Afghanistan.