Afghan Woman Photographer facing life threats asks "Will I be alive tomorrow"?

Afghan photographer, Ra Akbar's latest exhibition was forced to showcase online after she faced death threats for her work. captivating self-portraits of 33-year-old artist speak about her heritage and independence, but this comes at dely risk in Afghanistan. Akbar was threatened to be murdered after she showcased some of nation's powerful female figures. As per a report published by US Post, since September 2020, more than 180 people, mostly women including, high-profile personalities, media workers, judges, and activists, among ors, have been brutally killed. However, US and Afghan governments blame Taliban for this violence.

"We are minority who are fighting, raising our voices. By killing some of us, y will force rest of us to be silent," she said of insurgents. "y are sending message: 'You have no place, if you want to do this, you'll get killed," she ded. Amid regular death threats, Akbar has restricted moving around country and no longer steps out after brutal assassination of her friends. 33-year-old expressed her fear of being killed, "We keep saying to each or that ok we need to stay alive because if we died n what is point?" Said, Akbar.

Often seen wearing a crown or captured flaunting in gold and silver jewellery, Akbar is popular for her self-portraits and stunning s of daily life around Afghanistan. She has helmed a series of exhibitions celebrating International Women's Day at Kabul's former royal palaces.

According to US Post, last year she exhibited exceptional figures including a filmmaker, a footballer, and -- under a gauze cape showered with pebbles -- Rokhshana, a woman stoned to death by Taliban for fleeing a forced marriage. Meanwhile, this year, she was forced to present her show on a virtual platform and she portrayed "Abarzanan -- Superwomen in English" in Kabul.

Akbar's view on Afghanistan

Akbar has always received support from her parents and she is one among five sisters, including Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission chief, Shahraz Akbar. Being a single woman, Akbar has lived alone for nearly ten years in Kabul. Sharing her deces of experience, she said, "Afghanistan is much more conservative now, in past, women h roles in society, in art, private sector... y enjoyed more freedom".
 " history of Afghan women didn't start after 2001," she says of US-led invasion, which toppled Taliban. We have a long and rich past to which women have always contributed,".

Will I be alive tomorrow?

Akbar feels betrayed by Washington's withdrawal deal with Taliban, which saw US promise to leave country in return for security guarantees without insisting on any women's or human rights protection. Akbar says deteriorating situation has h an impact on her mental health, her concentration, and her creativity." I'm very close to death se days. Will I be alive tomorrow?" Said Akbar.