Aid for S and five children

I am S, 34 years old, a Tajik woman from Kabul. I have five children. My husband worked as a security guard for a U.S. project from 2016 until 15 August 2021. After the fall of the government, we failed to evacuate and moved to Baghlan. Due to severe economic problems, my husband later went to Iran for work, while I supported our children by selling homemade food and handmade items.

February 2024, while returning home from the city, a Taliban vehicle stopped beside me. They claimed they wanted to help poor people and offered to buy food for my family. Because of our financial difficulties, I entered the vehicle. Inside, a man claimed to be a Taliban intelligence official and demanded sexual relations. When I tried to leave, they put a gun to my head and threatened to kill me and my children.

They blindfolded me and took me to a house where two other women were being held. We were threatened, forced to wear revealing clothes and dance for hours in front of about 15 Taliban members. Later, Taliban members took me to another room and sexually assaulted me repeatedly. I was severely injured and bleeding and could barely move because of the pain. The following night, the same men assaulted me again. The next day, I was taken back home.

With help from a neighbor, I contacted people assisting us and was transferred to Kabul with my children, where we are now receiving protection and support. I remain deeply affected by what happened, but I am grateful to the people who helped save my life and protect my children.