I am proud to be a woman public prosecutor who worked in the judiciary.
I always strived to serve my people. But now I can’t return to the job I love
and that consumes my thoughts.
The women lawyers and judges of Afghanistan
are my sisters and they love the practice of law as much as I do.
And they know that law is fundamental to a just society.
When the Taliban took Kabul I knew that a war was going to be declared on women.
I knew that into their sights would come the women who had dared to sit in judgement on men.
That women who had taken on public roles would live in mortal danger.
Women who were refusing to be subordinate to men.
Colleagues who worked in the judiciary are trying to leave.
It feels like every waking moment we are waiting for our death.
Maybe tomorrow it will be my turn. The international community should take the
struggle of working women seriously and support us, so we don’t become the victims of history.
Sincerely, Masouma.
You have protected the rule of law, a fundamental precept and you have striven for equal rights.
We embrace your courage and we stand by you. In solidarity and love, Helena.