In northwest Pakistan, an Afghan woman forced into exile
gave Fazal Sheikh a passionate manifesto on the rights of women, “Our Plight.”

“There has been much discussion about how Afghan women have
been treated, how they have been abused, tortured and killed. But these
discussions, which take place both inside and outside Afghanistan, have done
little to solve our lack of basic human rights. Many Afghan women look to the West
in the name of freedom and expect people in the West to promote our rights. But
in the West they neither consult us about the issues that affect our daily
lives, nor do they uphold or promote on our behalf the standards by which they
themselves live."<br>

“History has taught us that a bright future is nothing but a
mirage for Afghan women. The reality is tears, chained hands and silenced
mouths. Afghan mothers who have brought up brave sons and husbands are
generous, loving people but they have never succeeded in obtaining their
independence. All our hopes have been consigned to the dustbin of history.”

To hear Fazal Sheikh read the full text visit
https://mfah.org/visit/audio-for-homelands-and-histories-photographs-by-fazal-sheikh/">mfah.org/fsaudio.