The Golden Needle Literary Association: Empowering Afghan Girls Through Creative Writing In 1996, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, they unleashed a wave of oppression that sought to silence the voices of women and girls across the country. Schools were shuttered, and women were banished from public life, their dreams and aspirations crushed beneath the weight of draconian laws. Yet, amidst the darkness, a flicker of resistance emerged in the city of Herat—a clandestine gathering known as the Golden Needle Literary Association, where girls dared to defy the Taliban oppressive regime by reclaiming their right to education and expression.
Now, more than two decades later, the echoes of oppression reverberate once again as the Taliban seek to reimpose their repressive rule on Afghanistan. Once again, Afghan girls find themselves facing the threat of erasure, their voices stifled, and their dreams in jeopardy. In the face of adversity, one woman draws inspiration from the courage of her past.
Inspired by her experiences in the secret class of 1996, Homeira Qaderi, founded the Golden Needle Literary Association—an organization dedicated to empowering Afghan girls through the transformative power of creative writing. Through workshops and seminars, she teaches girls across Afghanistan to harness the power of their words, to give voice to their experiences, and to assert their presence in a world that seeks to silence them.
The aim of the Golden Needle Literary Association is simple yet profound: to cultivate a generation of young Afghan women who are not only literate but also empowered to tell their own stories. Through creative writing, girls learn to explore their innermost thoughts and feelings, articulate their hopes and dreams, and find strength in their own voices. In doing so, they reclaim agency over their lives and assert their right to be heard in a society that frequently seeks to silence them moreover, the arts can serve as a bridge between cultures, fostering understanding and dialogue both within Afghanistan and beyond. Through artistic expression, Afghan women can share their experiences with the world, challenging misconceptions and encouraging empathy and solidarity across borders.