Nasima Omari is Cordaid’s lobby and advocacy expert in Kabul. She advocates for the meaningful participation of women in Afghanistan’s peace process. “In between our activism, we try to raise our kids, to have a life. It grinds us down and lifts us up. At least, working from home around the clock, our men now see how we fight.”
“After the world went in COVID-19 lockdown, Afghan women worked their way around restrictions. Even more than before, we went online. Using our mobiles to mobilize women across the country. In 11 provinces we provided internet access to women who are peace activists and gender equality promotors in their regions. We met, raised our voices, took action. In WhatsApp groups, and video calls we denounced cases of gender violence and advanced women’s inclusion in the peace process. 24/7, 7 days a week.
We must continue. To educate ourselves. To combine our talents. To fight domestic violence and abuse. To have a say in our country’s future. To make sure we will never go back to the dark days.
Those of us with access to global networks took their wisdom and demands to international levels. We shared them in our campaigns for an inclusive peace process in Kabul, New York, Washington, and Doha. Breaking down barriers. Afghanistan belongs to Afghan women at least just as much as it does to Afghan men.
Online activism comes with a risk. It never stops. In between, we try to raise our kids, to have a family life. To have a life. It grinds us down and lifts us up at the same time. At least, working from home around the clock, our men now see what we do. How we fight. They become our allies, more than before.
We must continue. To educate ourselves. To combine our talents. To fight domestic violence and abuse. To have a say in our country’s future. To make sure we will never go back to the dark days of a fundamentalist regime of men ruling over women.”