Noor and the Afghan women

Noor has an oval face, almond shaped eyes and a very sweet smile. Like so many women who come from terrible situations, she has a surprising calmness and ability to wait. As I ask her to tell me about herself, her tears begin to fall silently and her voice cracks. The pain is too much, and her eyes do not contain it. Noor shows me her date of birth written on her passport: 1.1.86.

In Afghanistan, he says, the birth of a child doesn't deserve to be remembered. Anyone who gives birth to a girl is considered an unworthy wife. Until a few years ago, the woman's name was not even written on the documents but only "daughter of" and the name of her father. Noor talks about himself, his family, his country. Three floors that are interconnected in his story merge into each other.

Listening to it makes it clear how much the political events of the country where one was born and grew up are decisive in writing one's personal history. How many things we take for granted when we talk about ourselves, our life, our choices! Noor says her illiterate mother wanted her to study. She agreed to her husband having other wives as long as she would allow Noor to attend school. She defies social disapproval, she is isolated from the community, she manages to graduate and starts working for the promotion of women's right to education and health. She wants to help change the condition of women. In 2021 the Taliban regain control of the country and the lives of millions of people suddenly sink into the abyss of a totalitarian regime. Girls' schools are closed. Women can no longer work, use money, express an opinion, go out alone but always accompanied by a man. They must wear burqas and black gloves. No rights.

Noor knows the Taliban will come looking for her. She lives in fear of being found, imprisoned and killed. She fears not only for herself but for her family. Her senses of guilt devour her: the dream on which she invested her education and youth, that she made her proud of being the person she is hers, has turned into her worst nightmare . So Noor, with all the courage that made her the woman she is today, crosses the country and manages to cross the border. She spent 4 months in Pakistan and then her study visa which allows her to arrive in Rome. Noor is now here and safe but her silent tears tell the cry and inconsolable suffering of the daughters of her people.

Simona Pagani
NP April 2023