The Story of Taher

Victim’s Name: Mohammad Taher

Date of Incident: 2001-2013

Place of Incident: Maidan Wardak

My husband was shot dead five years ago during the Karzai government. He couldn’t work alone due to sickness, so he decided to work with his cousin in the Province of Ghazni Province. On the way, in Maidan Wardak, their vehicle was attacked by the Taliban and he was shot in the head. When they brought his body, I could not bring myself to see his face. I only saw his blood-soaked coffin.

He was a daily laborer so he somehow managed to relieve me of the breadwinning burden. Once he was gone, I had to bear all the sadness and misery of life, as well as make a living for my three children who were just three, one-year-old, and the last was born after his father was martyred.

We are currently living in an old rented house. It scares me but there is nothing I can do about it. I have suffered worse in my life. I lost my father and my younger brother when I was just a teenager. When I got married, I lost my father and brothers in-law during Dr. Najibullah’s rule. I do not know whom I should tell about the loss of my loved ones and ask for help. We are living in severe poverty but no one has ever asked about our living conditions even though it is unrealistic to expect any help for the widows or orphans in this society.