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Hella Hidai
Breaking Barriers: Hella Hidai’s Fight for Women's Education and Gender Justice in Afghanistan
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In the heart of Afghanistan, where for most women, restricted participation in all social, economic, and political aspects of life is a lived reality, the tools of education and activism wield the power to carve a path of liberation. Hella Hidai, a mentor, activist, and former student, has dedicated her life to breaking the barriers that bind women and girls to the struggle for their agency and fundamental right to education
Hella’s mission is clear; at the forefront of her advocacy is a relentless focus on girls' education and the urgent need to raise awareness about the haunting spectre of domestic violence in her society.
In a nation grappling with institutionalised violence and extremist ideologies that actively undermine the bodily autonomy, freedom, dignity, and rights of women and girls, Hella’s advocacy stands as a unique and powerful force seeking to challenge religious misconceptions that have hindered the dreams and aspirations of Afghan women, both young and old.
As a former Law and Political Science student at Kabul University, Hella passionately believes in education as more than just a privilege but rather an inalienable right for every woman and every human.
She attributes her recognition of the transformative power of education and her dedication to advocacy to having witnessed the crushing of dreams of Afghan girls by new governance systems.
And so, in the aftermath of the republic's collapse in 2021, she emerged as a guiding figure, leading various organisations and initiatives aimed at crafting a brighter future for women and girls in Afghanistan.
"Many girls in Afghanistan idealise their future according to education, but the new government takes all these hopes and dreams away from them. It's beyond upsetting."
"During the collapse of the republic in Afghanistan two years ago, I went into depression because of the ongoing conditions of the country, because all circumstances were negative, and many girls and women saw their futures go into darkness. This deeply affected me, but now it gives me hope for change.”
Prior to the establishment of the unitary Islamic state in 2021, Afghan women's presence in higher education increased almost 20 times, from 5,000 female students in 2001 to over 100,000 in 2021 (UNESCO). When asked about the increase, Hella attributed this positive change to the tireless efforts and advocacy of women and girls, believing that their enthusiasm for education, forged from years of experiencing the hardships of being denied access to education, surpassed societal expectations and political limitations.
Today women and girls in Afghanistan are banned from secondary and tertiary education including high schools and universities, while also being banned from most public spaces and activities.
A Catalyst for Change: Turning Personal Tragedy into Advocacy
Hella's journey, she states, has been heavily shaped by the personal trials she has faced as a woman and as a student in Afghanistan, none more poignant than experiencing first-hand the terrorist attack at Kabul University in 2020. Claiming the lives of at least 22 students, the loss of friends and classmates left an indelible mark on her.
“It was a terrible accident I faced in my life. When we were in our classes, a suicide bomber attacked our campus and many of our friends and classmates were killed in the accident. It was not at all easy to experience such a barbaric attack and to see your friends like this. I was not able to speak for two weeks.”
Amidst her despair, Hella found strength and resilience, with the attack propelling her into an intensified commitment to her work, vowing to speak up for students' rights and advocate for positive change.
A Medium for Change
Art, in the form of painting and writing, has always been a cathartic outlet for Hella, serving as a powerful medium of expression and tool for advocacy throughout this journey. Through painting and writing, Hella says she can craft narratives that transcend spoken words. "It makes me feel at peace because I can raise my voice without speaking a word," she shares. Hella speaks actively on the importance of community in creating change on a systematic level, sharing the impact of other women and girls in the gender justice movement in guiding her through their support, encouragement, and unity.
One of her most impactful creative contributions is the book "Zala's Dreams" (د ځلا خوبونه), exploring the dual challenges of education and domestic violence. Winning the National Best Story Prize, the book has become an educational tool to bridge the systematic gap in girls' access to resources, reaching thousands across Afghanistan and making waves in international arenas, including the global stage in a United Nations meeting.
Hella's stories have had a profound impact on the lives of children across the nation, not only through empowering girls across the country to exercise their right to access education but also through defying the obstacles and challenges that come about through her community-wide advocacy.
A display of Hella's artworks and impact on children and schools in her community.
Working tirelessly with communities of women and girls, Hella said she remains undeterred by the dangers she has faced especially whilst visiting rural communities deprived of resources for mental health and education. Taking on the role of a counsellor for women and girls in rural and regional communities across Afghanistan, Hella aims to bring focus to the intersectional experiences of women from such regions in their fight for gender justice.
However, she also acknowledges the dangers that come with doing so. Beyond the physical journey to many of these remote areas, Hella says her work could lead to criminal prosecution, potential imprisonment, and even religious backlash. "I know I have to accept the risks," she says, embracing them as essential components in the struggle for change. By creating these projects and counselling programs that reach out to communities with limited access to resources for mental health and education, Hella is a lifeline for those who would otherwise remain unheard.
In Hella's world, every question about hope, change, and breaking negative mindsets is met with the affirmation, stating "Be hopeful, because hope and positivity create change". Hella's unwavering commitment to women's education and gender justice is not just a personal mission but a call to action for individuals, communities, and the world at large.
"My role is to make sure these girls become conscious and aware of their rights and their ability to make change within their families and communities".