Under Taliban Rule, a Translator Works to Keep Knowledge Alive

This article is co-published with Ideas Beyond Borders.

When the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, women were swiftly erased from public life. Schools closed their doors to girls, universities barred their entry, and workplaces became male-only. But in a quiet room in Kabul, one woman continues to work, translating material that would otherwise remain out of reach for many Afghans.

Mariam*, a freelance translator, brings information about science, critical thinking, and human rights to Afghan readers in Pashto and Dari. It is a mission born from personal experience.

“When I was a student, I couldn’t find certain scientific information in my own language,” Mariam told More to Her Story. “I struggled to understand complex English texts while pursuing my medical degree.” What started as a necessity gradually evolved into a career. “Translation was a way to bridge that gap, not just for me but for others who don’t have access to resources in their native language.”

Mariam’s path was shaped by both tradition and family expectations. She grew up hoping to become a journalist, inspired by female voices on international radio programs. Her father, an unusually supportive figure in a conservative Pashtun community, encouraged her ambition. “He used to say, ‘One educated daughter is worth more than all my seven educated sons.’”

However, when the time came to choose a field of study, societal norms intervened. “You’re Pashtun. You cannot be a journalist,” her mother and elder sister insisted. Under pressure, Mariam selected medicine during her university entrance exam—a choice she initially regretted but later embraced.

Despite her reservations, Mariam found purpose in her field. Faced with a lack of educational resources in her native languages, she began translating—first for herself, then for classmates, and eventually for her professors. “I didn’t plan on becoming a translator,” she said. “But I realized that translating wasn’t just about language; it was about making information accessible.”

Mariam’s journey was marked by personal loss and educational hurdles. During her third semester of university, her father passed away, leaving her without her most steadfast supporter. Later, a serious accident kept her homebound for months, jeopardizing her academic standing. “It was a difficult time,” she told More to Her Story. “I had to find my own motivation to continue.”

After earning her degree, Mariam pursued a master’s in life science while juggling multiple jobs. She taught English, freelanced as a translator, and even drafted educational materials on her phone during her daily commute. “I like being busy; I wanted to make the most of my education, even if it wasn’t in the field I originally wanted.”

Mariam hoped to become a university professor but narrowly missed the academic requirements due to her injury and mental health struggles following her father’s death. “I was disappointed,” she said. “But in hindsight, I’m glad. If I were a professor now, I wouldn’t be allowed to work under Taliban rule. This way, I can continue to work. It was a blessing in disguise. God had a plan for my life.”

When the Taliban took over, Mariam lost her teaching job. Freelance opportunities dried up, and she faced the prospect of staying home indefinitely. Then, she was offered a role translating Wikipedia articles for Ideas Beyond Borders. “It was the lifeline I needed,” she said. “I could keep working, learning, and contributing to my community.” She wouldn’t be fulfilled staying home just cooking and cleaning. “That’s just not me. I would go crazy.”

Despite the severe restrictions on women’s education and employment, Mariam refuses to be silenced. She continues contributing from home, using her skills to make educational materials available in local languages. She navigates the constraints with strategic creativity, finding ‘operational cracks’ within the oppressive system and using them to sustain her career and purpose.

“They barred us from education, but they can’t stop me from working. There are still operational cracks. We have to find those cracks and operate within them. There are millions of us and only thousands of them. They won’t stay in power forever.”

She says the stricter the laws, the more determined she becomes. Her courage not only challenges the regime’s restrictions but also keeps hope alive for future generations of Afghan girls. “This is not our fault—being born female. We don’t get to choose. I am proud to be a woman."

Her work allows her to provide information to those now denied formal education. "I want my people to have access to knowledge in their own language," she explains. "I struggled as a student because I didn’t have that. I don’t want others to go through the same experience."

Despite the risks, Mariam continues her work from home, careful to keep a low profile. “They can’t control my work because they can’t see it. It’s my personal laptop in my home; only I have control here.”

Mariam remains steadfast in her optimism. When asked what keeps her going, she says years of struggle have built her mental resilience. As a child, Mariam traveled to Kabul to pursue her education while her parents stayed in a remote province. Growing up without them instilled in her a fierce independence the Taliban cannot take away.

Mariam draws motivation from her nieces, who tell her they want to be like her but are forbidden from attending school. “It’s painful,” she said. “I want to set an example for them. I want them to know they can learn, even if the system is against them.”

The memory of her father also drives her. “He believed in education, especially for girls,” she told More to Her Story. “I owe it to him to keep learning and sharing that knowledge. He was my hero. I am my father's daughter, and I will follow his vision exactly as he raised us.”

Mariam’s work is quiet but impactful. She translates information that would otherwise be inaccessible, contributing to a future she hopes will be different. “I don’t know what the future holds,” she told More to Her Story. “But I know that words matter. And as long as I can, I’ll keep writing them.”

Mariam hopes the international community and prominent feminists will not forget Afghanistan, the only country in the world where women are barred from education. She dreams of emigrating to study abroad one day, but for now, her living room must suffice.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.