The activist recently came across her name on a Taliban death list circulating on social media. She doesn’t know if the list is real, but it is a shock. “Any woman who is educated and who can bring hope and change is a potential target. They want to take away from us the ideal we have – an Afghanistan where everyone is equal.”
While the Taliban often deny having anything to do with the attacks, the Afghan government and America blame the group for the recent wave of violence. Investigations and trial often fail.
‘Talibanization’ of education
The Afghan government itself is increasingly trying to impose restrictions on women, Akbar says. “We are not only in conflict with the Taliban, but also with our own government.” Last week, the Afghan Ministry of Education issued a singing ban for girls from the age of 12.
According to Ahmad Sarmast, founder of the National Music Institute in Kabul, this could be an attempt at the “Talibanization” of the education system. Sarmast points out that the Taliban banned music and girls’ education while in power. He was himself injured in a 2014 attack by the Taliban. A suicide bomber blew himself up right behind him at a concert in Kabul.
“The song ban clearly shows that some politicians within the Afghan government are trying to pave the way for the Taliban,” said Sarmast. “Since the peace talks, a lot has changed politically. Some would like to see the Taliban reign in government and try to secure a place for themselves in the event of a deal. This ban can therefore be seen as a test to see if Afghan society is willing to take a step back. “
But the Afghans are certainly not. Women’s activists – and basically anyone who opposes the strict-Islamic Taliban – revolted en masse via an online protest campaign, initiated by Sarmast. Under the hashtag #IamMSong, women and girls posted videos on social media singing their favorite songs.
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