Women Activists’ Narratives from Unknown Enemies; Taliban with a Different Identity or Others with Taliban’s Identity?
Ms. Durrani spent her childhood as an immigrant. She returned back to the country with her family as a teenager after the fall of the Taliban. Having completed her schooling in immigration, she was forced to complete her university studies through distance learning, due to security concerns. Maryam Durrani, now a well-known activist in the field of women's rights in Kandahar, like any other citizen, has had fears and experiences of insecurity and violence at every moment of her life in the country. Ms. Durrani, who is in charge of a radio station called "Women" and supports several women's organizations, says that since the beginning of their activities, she and her colleagues have experienced many threats and limitations. "Since our activities are related to women, we have been threatened several times so far. Our radio employees either receive threatening calls or are publicly and directly threatened in the streets and markets. "Sometimes, due to security problems, we are not allowed visit some areas." Ms. Durrani adds that in terms of security issues, what targets women, especially employed one’s is targeted assassinations, but she believes that these assassinations are not always carried out by the Taliban. "Assassinations cannot always be attributed to the Taliban. Some people carry out assassinations because of personal problems or rivalry with a person, but are ascribe to the Taliban.", said Ms. Durrani. According to her, the opposite is not far-fetched either, and the Taliban may easily claim responsibility for the assassination, which is one of the serious problems of women activists in Kandahar because they are unable to recognize their true enemies. She has survived two suicide bombings while working as a lawyer for the Kandahar Provincial Council. One of the most painful experiences of her career was the assassination of a colleague and…