The tragic history and destiny of the Afghan people stand in stark contrast to many of our neighbors and countries around the world. Our nation has endured the longest, most prolonged suffering on every conceivable front—economic, social, and political. For a long time, I have been reflecting on why we, as a people, have become so paralyzed and incapable of navigating our way out of this crisis, even when compared to regional standards.

While the crisis undoubtedly has many dimensions, there is one reality I have become absolutely, undeniably certain of: the root of our failure lies in the profound injustice and inequality we inflict upon our women and girls.

For decades, we have excluded half of our society, locking them in kitchens and houses, and brutalizing them through systemic oppression. Yet, somehow, we have spent those same decades bragging about a hope for nation-building. The destructive vibes of patriarchy have torn the very fabric of our nation. I firmly believe that without achieving social justice for women, national progress is a statistical and human impossibility.

Here is why:

1. The Foundation of the Next Generation

Mothers give birth to and nurture the next generation. If they are systematically disempowered, locked away, traumatized, and denied emotional and financial independence, the hope for a better, more humane society becomes practically unachievable. You cannot raise a free nation in an environment of captive minds.

2. A Nation Operating at Half Capacity

Afghan women constitute half of our population. Without their human capital, intellect, and potential, the nation operates at only half of its capability. This is a basic fact that even a five-year-old can understand. To suppress women is to intentionally keep our entire nation weak and impoverished.

3. Patriarchy Destroys Men Too

Patriarchy has not only destroyed Afghan women; it has ruined Afghan men as well. Leaving the fate of an entire nation and its critical decisions to a small circle of power-driven men—who are inherently hostile to half of the population—will never yield genuine, lasting results for the collective good. True leadership requires diverse perspectives, not isolated echo chambers of control.

4. A Test of Our Collective Humanity and Integrity

Most importantly, standing up for a fair, equitable, and humane environment for women is an undeniable sign of progress for every man and boy. It is the ultimate indicator of a decent human being—someone who truly cares about national interests, empathy, accountability, and integrity. We can only achieve true integrity by recognizing and rectifying the historical injustices committed against the women and girls of Afghanistan.

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The Time to Speak is Now

There has never been a more critical time than this very moment. Today, half of the Afghan population is excluded and dehumanized solely because of their gender.

It is our utmost duty—especially as men—to raise our voices right now. If we remain silent, we condemn not just the present, but also upcoming generations to a miserable, painful destiny. A society without the free, active participation of its women and girls is a society without a future.

Hamed

Berlin
17 April 2026