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Writing by Afghan Women

December 2020

In this collection, originally published in the December 2020 issue of Words Without Borders, we feature new writing by Afghan women, developed through Untold’s Write Afghanistan initiative.

New Voices: Afghan Women Writers

A nation’s upheaval cannot be understood without women’s perspectives.

The Decision

At that moment, there was another whistling sound, followed by a huge explosion.

Translated from Pashto by Zarghuna Kargar

Khurshid Khanum, Rise and Shine

By Batool Haidari

She could not have known that the caller at the other end of the phone was about to faint.

Translated from Dari by Parwana Fayyaz

Turn this Air Conditioner On, Sir

By Maryam Mahjoba

It is one of those days when the winter sun is gorgeous, and you don’t want to even think of death.

Translated from Dari by Parwana Fayyaz

Daughter Number Eight

By Freshta Ghani

“Is it a boy or a girl?”

Translated from Pashto by Zarghuna Kargar