Hushed Voices

This poem is an attempt to reflect the distressing reality of Afghanistan under the current Taliban rule (2021-present) and in particular the condition of women who have been stripped of their rights and freedoms. Through the use of poignant metaphors and evocative imagery, the author seeks to explore the rising struggles of women under the Taliban, which has turned the clock back and reversed all of the progress Afghanistan made after the first Taliban reign (1996-2001). Afghan women struggle to breathe as their voices are silenced and dreams buried beneath an iron rule based on patriarchal notions. Painting the image of defiance and resilience despite the chains of injustice, “Hushed Voices” laments the loss of some freedoms and serves as a testimony to the enduring resolve of Afghan women, whose whispered hopes roar louder than the forces that want to silence them.