Afghan Woman Dismissed from 15-Year Education Ministry Role

Leila, a 40-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree in psychology from the pedagogy section, worked for 15 years as the manager of female physical education in Afghanistan's Ministry of Education. In November, her position was abolished, leading to her official dismissal from the job, according to her account.

Leila described the dismissal as sudden, with no opportunity to protest or claim benefits for her 15 years of service. She stated that government appointments often occur without open competition, favoring connections over merit, while qualified employees like herself, who advanced through formal processes, face unexplained position abolitions and loss of service rights.

The job loss disrupted her routine and contributed to depression and related physical issues, though not severely. She expressed longing to return to work, where she planned physical education programs, trained teachers, promoted girls' sports, and organized competitions to improve students' physical and mental health.

Leila noted that such dismissals deprive long-serving employees of income and retirement savings, leaving them unemployed indefinitely. Despite the change, she continues her pre-dawn household routine from her working years, standing by the window afterward watching passersby.