In the summer of 2018, Zarifa Ghafari accomplished what no woman in Afghanistan did: she became the first female mayor of the conservative city of Maidan Shar.
It would never have succeeded during the Taliban rule (1996-2001), where women had virtually no rights. But now, the life of Zarifa, who defines herself as a “human rights activist” on Twitter, is in danger.
“I am sitting here, waiting for them to come. There is no one to help me or my family. I am sitting here with them and with my husband. And they will come for people like me and kill me, ”he told the British newspaper I on Sunday.
Although her activism dates back years, it was in 2018 that she gained international recognition when she was appointed mayor of Maidan Shar, the youngest. Even without the Taliban in power, it was not easy. His term was delayed for nine months due to opposition from powerful politicians.
But his love for Afghanistan is much greater and in March 2019 he was sworn in. That day, a group of men shouted for his resignation.
“My love for my country does not change. It doesn’t matter who is here, no matter how difficult it is, ”he tweeted just on August 14, the last day he posted something on the social network.
Despite suffering three assassination attempts; Despite the fact that her father, General Abdul Wasi Ghafari was assassinated last November, she has stood firm.
Just three weeks ago, the activist and businesswoman, considered by the BBC one of the 100 most inspiring and influential women in 2019, was still optimistic. “Young people are aware of what is happening. They have social media. They communicate. I think they will continue to fight for progress and our rights. I think there is a future for this country, ”he told I.
But on Sunday, she was devastated. And running away didn’t seem like a feasible option. “I can’t leave my family and where would I go anyway?” He said.
As Ghafari became more recognized, and in the face of the Taliban advance, she was given a more secure job in the Kabul Ministry of Defense, where she had the responsibility of looking out for the well-being of soldiers and civilians injured in the terrorist attacks.
But now, Ghafari is on his own, like tens of thousands of women. “I take your pain [de los afganos] for granted and I am ready to stay here until the last moment of my life, for the prosperity of this beautiful land, ”she tweeted on Saturday.
“No stranger will snatch this love for you from my heart,” he added.
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