Afghan Girl Arrested for Disguising Herself as a Boy to Support Her Family
According to foreign media reports, the girl, identified as Noria, had been working at a café for the past three years under the name Noor Ahmad while dressed in male clothing. She allegedly took on the disguise following the death of her father, becoming the sole breadwinner for her family amid severe financial hardship.
In a video circulating on social media, Noria said she was forced to conceal her identity due to poverty and the lack of employment opportunities available to women. She attempted to keep her identity hidden, but her situation was eventually exposed, leading to her detention by Taliban authorities.
The incident comes at a time when restrictions on women’s education, employment, and freedom of movement have intensified in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power. Limitations on women working in both public and private sectors have left thousands unemployed.
Noria’s arrest has sparked widespread reaction on social media, once again drawing attention to the challenges faced by Afghan women and the ongoing concerns over their fundamental rights.