On August 15, 2021, the Taliban, an Islamic Fundamentalist organization, captured the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, after 20 years of civil and foreign war. The take-over followed after international forces, including the United States, withdrew from the third-world country after pouring billions of dollars and military support into advancing the corrupt regime. 

Taliban leaders seized the presidential palace and others caused chaos at the airport of Kabul with suicide attacks that killed almost 200 people, including 13 American troops. The US originally planned to leave hundreds of troops in the country to secure the Kabul embassy from threats, but the Taliban’s shocking attack shut down the government, and in response, only around 200 US troops stayed while over 120,000 US citizens and allies fled. Military planes were packed to full capacity with over 70,000 Afghan citizens fleeing from the upheaval. President Biden, who ordered the end to ‘America’s longest War’ as takeover by extremists was inevitable, said, “This did unfold more quickly than we had anticipated.”  

For the millions of Afghan citizens left in the country, a minority agrees with the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam while most others realize the captive-like control they garner. Law student, Farzana, not only fears for her life every day as the Taliban pose strict and violent protocols, but she is mainly concerned that the Taliban may not let women work or go to school as they segregate men and women and undermine women’s rights. She explains, “Every time I step out of my house and I see the Taliban, I shiver with fear.” 

Many foreigners strongly empathize with the Afghanistan people, like Farzana, who are stuck in the seemingly endless cycle of war and tumult. Although fully helping Afghans and the country currently seems impossible, many small contributions can make a difference. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service asks for volunteers to pick up Afghan refugees at airports and offer mentorship, tutoring, assistance, and more in a given area. Women for Women International and Women for Afghan Women need donations to help Afghan Women. The International Refugee Assistance Project and the Afghan Journalists Safety Community also request donations to protect journalists and refugees on the ground. Moreover, emailing the White House urges President Biden to further protect at-risk Afghans. Activist organization Together Rising also lists more amazing projects and organizations aiding Afghan refugees to help fund and support. 

Many Hingham High Students have heard about the Taliban resurgence and are deeply saddened for all the millions of families and women trying to flee or fight for rights and education. Junior Bella Bottini comments, “I especially feel bad for the girls who don’t have equal rights and quality education.” Sophomore Kate Hall says, “I think it’s important to help the chaos in Afghanistan in any way possible. I also know that education is crucial and the more we educate people about what is going on the more they would want to help.” While some Hingham High Students were negatively impacted by the recent store, across the world children are locked in their homes and girls especially have little to no education and hold their life in fear by just walking to a neighbor’s house. 

Although it is easy to ignore the tragedy in Afghanistan as it seems a world away, activist organizations have made helping in any way possible easy and near seamless. Fighting for quality and justice makes for a better world and especially fosters ideals to support young girls who, given a proper education, can blossom into intelligent women capable of changing the narrative for oppressed females everywhere.