Before the fall of Kabul in 2021, photographer Fatimah Hossaini captured Afghan women to tell their stories and spotlight their beauty. But after the Taliban returned to power, she had to leave.
Hossaini, who is Iranian and moved to Afghanistan in 2018, was evacuated on a military aircraft during that chaotic time and now resides in Paris. She tells PetaPixel that the fall of Kabul was a devastating blow, especially for women.
“In Kabul, I focused on amplifying the voices of Afghan women, showcasing their resilience through photography and storytelling,” she says.
“It wasn’t easy in a society with many restrictions, but I persisted, challenging societal norms with each click of my camera.”
Hossaini’s grandparents were forced to flee Afghanistan because of the Soviet invasion. She was born in Iran but faced discrimination there owing to her heritage. So after returning to her ancestral home, she concentrated her work on highlighting the “hidden beauty and strength” of Afghan women.
“It was a silent political stance against oppressive social norms, and I take pride in seeing my Afghan sisters celebrated in my exhibitions.”
But even before the Taliban came back to power, photographing women in Afghanistan was not straightforward.
“During the republic, there was a sense of hope and freedom among the new generation,” she explains.
“I could walk the streets of Kabul, capturing life and portraits despite the challenges. Staged photography required more time and effort, particularly in portraying women’s stories.
“The subject matter was often taboo, but I persisted in shedding light on the lives of Afghan women through my lens.”
Under Taliban rule, girls over 12 years old are not allowed to go to school. She says the return of the militant group felt like stepping back into the Middle Ages after two decades of progress.
“It shattered my hopes for a free Afghanistan, and I still can’t comprehend how the Taliban regained power in front of the world’s eyes.”
However, Hossaini hopes that her photographs help to preserve the stories of Afghan women and their resilience.
“These stories will echo through history, a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. I hope my work inspires the voices of Afghan women to rise again and again.”
Hossaini’s photography role model is Iranian photographer Shirin Nesat but says she also draws inspiration from icons like Julia Margaret Cameron, Vivian Maier, and Sophie Calle.
She has begun a new project along the Silk Road — the ancient trading route that spans across the Asian continent — focusing on the stories of women in other lands and cultures.
More of Hossaini’s work can be found on her website and Instagram.
Image credits: Photographs by Fatimah Hossaini
