My name is Laila, and my father’s name is Bashir. I’m 18 years old, and I have a younger brother and sister. We live in a small house.
I was halfway through secondary school when we got a new government. Although my father’s name means “Bringer of Good News,” there was no good news that day. The schools closed, and we had to wait at home, hoping that I could go back to school. But that day never came.
After seven months of waiting, I was getting ready to return to school, and I was so looking forward to it. I love to learn! I was working hard to create a better future than my mom had. But then the bad news came: schools were not reopening for us girls. I tried to study at home, still hoping that I could finish 12th grade and somehow continue on to university. I always wanted to become a lawyer to help put things right in our country. But then, in December, the universities were also closed to women. I could not believe it!
I don’t think I will ever become a lawyer.
When we meet people, it is customary to ask how they are, and the answer is always “good, thank you,” because that is the custom too. But in reality, our life is as dark as the night, which sadly is also the meaning of my name.
Then I heard that studying to become a midwife was still an option, so I tried to envision myself as a midwife and thought, “If I become a midwife, I can still help build up our country, and with a job, I can still have a better future than my mom.” But then that option was taken from me too. My heart broke as I felt my dreams slipping away.
Here I am now, sitting at home, not allowed to go out without my father or brother. I am not allowed to study, not allowed to work, not allowed to have my voice heard on the street, and not allowed to dress as I would like. There is no hope, no future—just like my mom. She had no education, was forced to marry at a young age, and had to stay home. Through everything that happened, she’s suffering from trauma and depression, and so are her sisters and friends. Seeing my mom and her friends makes me so miserable. I’m so afraid that this will be my future too.
Can you help me and my sister get a better future? We want to live in peace, with hope for the future.
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