Despite the threats and edicts of the Taliban, a girl in Afghanistan who still wears pants is resisting and protesting against the rule of the Taliban and their misogynistic policies. She still takes care of her appearance, wearing beautiful clothes and adorning herself, defying the orders of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban‘s Supreme Leader, and his Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. There is also a man who shaves his beard and wears pants, mocking the Taliban and resisting their attempts to Talibanize the society. Refusing to abide by the orders of the Taliban, as long as it does not have immediate consequences for anyone, is an expression of dissatisfaction and a form of resistance. This resistance is not limited to the Panjshir, Andarab, and Takhar valleys; it is occurring in the homes of Afghans. Some of the wives, mothers, and other members of Taliban families may be resisting the misogynistic orders of the group within the confines of their homes, taking any opportunity to do so. As a gesture of defiance to the orders of the Taliban, they may choose to wear colors other than black, opting for brighter colors for their clothing. Although choosing the color of one‘s clothing will not overthrow or reform the Taliban regime, these actions can still be seen as a form of protest and resistance against them.
The area of resistance in Afghanistan is the entire country. In addition to those who are actively fighting against the Taliban‘s ideology and rule outside of Afghanistan, there are various peaceful and scattered struggles occurring within the country. Currently, many women are leaving their homes without a male companion, working in various places and providing for their families. Men who still wear trousers, shave their beards, comb their hair, and adorn themselves in cities and villages are actively resisting the orders of the Taliban. Women who have established secret schools in their homes to provide education to girls who have been deprived of it are also combating the Taliban.
The girls who read books and have resorted to secret or online education are actively resisting the Taliban. These are unofficial but serious resistances against the Taliban‘s ideology and the domination of this group. In its official form, there are various forms of resistance, such as speaking and writing in opposition to the Talibanization of the situation, demonstrating and chanting slogans on the roads or in enclosed spaces, using firearms, and lobbying and diplomacy, albeit limited. Consequently, there is resistance against the Taliban in various forms both within Afghanistan and abroad.
One of the most beautiful forms of resistance was demonstrated two days ago, when protesting women performed a dance with burqas. The video of this protest quickly went viral on social media, indicating widespread support from the public. These women are continuing to protest in an effort to keep alive the hope for a better future. While these protests may not be able to force the Taliban to respect human rights, reduce their atrocities, or open educational centers to women and restore social freedoms, they are an attempt to prevent the loss of hope for improvement. These protests are as varied as they are widespread, and they present an image of Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban as a representation of those who cannot protest. The Taliban have been unable to suppress this type of resistance in two years due to its vastness and diversity.
Society is constantly striving to oppose the Taliban. Whenever there is an opportunity to challenge the Taliban‘s authority, people take it. There is no sympathy for the Taliban among the people, and they are showing their resistance by turning away and refusing to interact with the group until they are forced to. These scattered and diverse forms of resistance cannot be contained. No one can be forced to love the Taliban. Now, the protestors and resistance fighters in Afghanistan have the support of millions of people, but they are exhausted. Fatigue has prevented them from increasing their resistance, but it has not been able to extinguish it. The people of Afghanistan do not support the Taliban. Although they remain silent in public for various reasons, they do not stop opposing the Taliban and the Talibanization of the situation. Thus, after they pass through Taliban checkpoints, they listen to music, have fun away from the eyes of the Taliban, put on makeup, and wear clothing that goes against the wishes of this group.
On the contrary, the Taliban have been imposing numerous restrictions on the citizens of Afghanistan, both men and women. Such restrictions cannot be enforced by force. Although people are afraid to openly oppose the Taliban due to the violence they commit, when the Taliban are not present, women dance, girls paint and read books, families go out for leisure and listen to music, men shave their beards, and young boys and girls express their love away from the Taliban‘s watchful eyes. This shows that the Taliban have not been successful in subduing the population.
Despite their substantial efforts and their plans to do more, society has endured and will continue to do so. Despite the Taliban‘s control over the people‘s fate, they have not forgotten the beauty of art even when faced with the Taliban‘s fighters and their cruel actions. These peaceful efforts remain alive in society until the day when the people‘s exhaustion is relieved and they completely defy the Taliban. On that day, the army, wearing suicide vests and armed with American tanks and weapons, and yellow barrels, will not be able to impede the collective will. On that day, the sun will rise again and people will live in peace for a while.