Finding freedom for study and friendship
The simple act of studying English is a luxurious freedom that Suraya knows many of her friends back in Afghanistan cannot experience.
Moving to Australia 5 years ago with her family, Suraya is now settled in Logan Reserve and has been studying the equivalent of Year 10 English.
‘I didn’t go much to high school in Afghanistan and stopped in Year 7. Now my dream is hoping I can own my own business here – be my own manager and own boss,’ Suraya says.
‘I am interested in clothing but still looking to becoming a beautician,’ she adds, with the goal to studying further to become a qualified beautician.
She is living the life of a typical Aussie student – meeting friends for meals, walking around an education campus to attend class or visit the library, and driving her own car to go shopping.
Yet all these basic freedoms, beginning with the simple act of walking out her front door by herself, are not taken for granted by Suraya. She knows that thousands of young women her age are not only prevented from these actions in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule, but may be punished harshly should they break that rule.
According to Amnesty International, when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, ‘The Taliban placed increasing restrictions on women and girls, apparently aimed at erasing them completely from public arenas.’ These include bans on women leaving the home alone without a male chaperone, bans on women participating in sports activities or visiting public parks, bans on girls enrolling in education beyond primary school, bans on women working outside the home apart from some public sector jobs, and also, all beauty salons were closed.
In 2024, more Taliban rules about the lifestyle and behaviour of women in Afghanistan have made headlines around the world, along with condemnation from many governments, including Australia.
Australian news media has reported recent rules under the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic Law include women not being allowed to not look directly at any man she is not related to, and for women’s voices not to be heard in public, nor their faces to be shown in public.
‘When we think about the girls in Afghanistan, you feel sad, but we cannot do anything and hope one day they become free or have opportunities to go outside,’ Suraya says.
‘I have a lot of friends there. They are not allowed to study or go outside for shopping and stuff. If they want to go outside, they have to have a man take them.
‘Yeah, I am very glad I am here and have the opportunity to go out and study, but still I am often sad for my country, and for the girls.’
Suraya reflects on when she lived in Afghanistan between 2013 and 2018, remembering how the girls went shopping and had the freedom to venture outside and explore the sights, or go to their friends’ houses.
‘We were free to walk around, and even driving and riding bicycles. Now no-one is driving or riding bicycles, they have to live with a man, or have to stay at the house with a husband, from 2021,’ Suraya explains.
‘Every day is getting worse and worse, with the Taliban making new rules. When they came in to rule, they said they would allow the girls to study, but now they are not allowed to study.’
Suraya is making the most of her study time in City of Logan, which includes participating in group visits with residents at Seasons Seniors Living in Waterford West.
The group of multicultural students are finding their English language course much more meaningful than they imagined.
The students are finding rewarding ways to learn the language through finding unexpected friendships with retirees, thanks to the welcoming residents of Seasons Living in Waterford West.
For the group visits, Suraya and other students have worn ornate cultural costumes, sung cultural songs for the residents and practiced their public speaking skills with presentations about their nationality’s food and lifestyle.
Friendships have been forming when the students and residents chat afterwards over cake and refreshments, and during friendly language games such as trivia questions.
A Seasons Living spokesperson says the program benefits the centre’s senior residents with opportunities to engage with younger people in the community.
Connie Marshall, a Seasons Living resident for 2 years with 9 great grandchildren, 5 grandchildren and 2 sons, says she finds the student visits very interesting.
‘The girls are dressed very prettily, and they speak about very interesting things I didn’t know about, when talking about their countries,’ Connie says.
‘I came from England in 1970 and have lived in the Logan and Beenleigh area for 50 years so I’ve seen a lot of change and growth over the years.
‘It’s still nice to be learning new things when these students come and talk to us.’
Photo at top: English students Kamila, left, and Suraya, right, enjoy sharing their culture in traditional Afghani dress with Seasons Living senior resident Connie Marshall.