<p>Afghanistan’s Education Ministry recently put out a memo prohibiting girls aged 12 and over from singing at school functions.</p>

<p>Soon after the memo was released, social media caught air of its contents, prompting authorities to refer to the memo as a “mistake”, and suggesting that the authors of the memo had not clearly understood the objective.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, Twitter spares no mistakes. #IAmMySong has been trending on the web portal, with Afghan girls recording clips of themselves singing songs.</p>

<p>Afghanistan is undergoing multiple upheavals right now, with the US planning to withdraw from the country. Critics fear that all progress made in terms of human rights could lapse if the Taliban assumes power.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">2days after Intl Women Day ‘21, the AFG Ministry of Education banned girls 12yo&amp;up from singing in public. This violates national &amp; int’l laws for basic human/universal rights. Join <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmMySong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAmMySong</a> and record a song in solidarity for AFG females music rights&amp;freedom of expression <a href="https://t.co/kRsW1rknmP">pic.twitter.com/kRsW1rknmP</a></p>
— Dr Ahmad Sarmast (@DSarmast) <a href="https://twitter.com/DSarmast/status/1369988156846641156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Before Taliban was ousted by the US, they ran the country on mostly anti-women lines. Among its many dictates, education was denied to all girls. And all forms of entertainment - including music and television was banned. Women are only allowed access to religious music.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We raise our voices in protest against the extremist and discriminatory order of the Ministry of Education!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmMySong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAmMySong</a> <a href="https://t.co/EnfycjiMtf">pic.twitter.com/EnfycjiMtf</a></p>
— MyRedLine - خط سرخ من (@myredline_afg) <a href="https://twitter.com/myredline_afg/status/1370462043128672258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Since then, the memo has been rescinded by the ministry. It was sent to all school districts in Kabul. Soon after, a fresh memo was issues, which banned music groups for not only girls of secondary schools, but also for boys.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Wednesday Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education reportedly banned girls 12yo&amp;up from singing in public.<br />
<br />
People are now recording songs in solidarity with Afghan women’s right to expression <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmMySong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAmMySong</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://t.co/ThR7jUogWv">pic.twitter.com/ThR7jUogWv</a></p>
— Megha Mohan (@meghamohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/meghamohan/status/1370079768318775298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Associated Press reported that the government claims objective of&nbsp;the move is not to ban music, but to prevent coronavirus from spreading.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IAmMySong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IAmMySong</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MyRedLine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MyRedLine</a> <a href="https://t.co/86XL4F3qtu">pic.twitter.com/86XL4F3qtu</a></p>
— MyRedLine - خط سرخ من (@myredline_afg) <a href="https://twitter.com/myredline_afg/status/1370336074145366025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>But many believe this is an act of damage control, prompting the hashtag, which had received over 600,000 clicks so far. The hashtag was reportedly started by Ahmad Sarmast, the founder of Afghanistan’s Institute of Music.</p>


Afghanistan’s Education Ministry recently put out a memo prohibiting girls aged 12 and over from singing at school functions. Soon after the memo was released, social media caught air of its contents, prompting authorities to refer to the memo as a “mistake”, and suggesting that the authors of the memo had not clearly understood the objective.

Afghanistan’s Education Ministry recently put out a memo prohibiting girls aged 12 and over from singing at school functions. Soon after the memo was released, social media caught air of its contents, prompting authorities to refer to the memo as a “mistake”, and suggesting that the authors of the memo had not clearly understood the objective. Nevertheless, Twitter spares no mistakes. #IAmMySong has been trending on the web portal, with Afghan girls recording clips of themselves singing songs. Afghanistan is undergoing multiple upheavals right now, with the US planning to withdraw from the country. Critics fear that all progress made in terms of human rights could lapse if the Taliban assumes power. 2days after Intl Women Day ‘21, the AFG Ministry of Education banned girls 12yo&up from singing in public. This violates national & int’l laws for basic human/universal rights. Join #IAmMySong and record a song in solidarity for AFG females music rights&freedom of expression pic.twitter.com/kRsW1rknmP — Dr Ahmad Sarmast (@DSarmast) March 11, 2021 × Before Taliban was ousted by the US, they ran the country on mostly anti-women lines. Among its many dictates, education was denied to all girls. And all forms of entertainment - including music and television was banned. Women are only allowed access to religious music. We raise our voices in protest against the extremist and discriminatory order of the Ministry of Education!#IAmMySong pic.twitter.com/EnfycjiMtf — MyRedLine - خط سرخ من (@myredline_afg) March 12, 2021 × Since then, the memo has been rescinded by the ministry. It was sent to all school districts in Kabul. Soon after, a fresh memo was issues, which banned music groups for not only girls of secondary schools, but also for boys. On Wednesday Afghanistan’s Ministry of Education reportedly banned girls 12yo&up from singing in public. People are now recording songs in solidarity with Afghan women’s right to expression #IAmMySong pic.twitter.com/ThR7jUogWv — Megha Mohan (@meghamohan) March 11, 2021 × Associated Press reported that the government claims objective of the move is not to ban music, but to prevent coronavirus from spreading. #IAmMySong#MyRedLine pic.twitter.com/86XL4F3qtu — MyRedLine - خط سرخ من (@myredline_afg) March 12, 2021 × But many believe this is an act of damage control, prompting the hashtag, which had received over 600,000 clicks so far. The hashtag was reportedly started by Ahmad Sarmast, the founder of Afghanistan’s Institute of Music.

Afghanistan releases, then redacts memo banning girls from singing. #IAmMySong roars on Twitter

<p>At the crack of dawn in Kabul, dozens of girls and women bounce along a path leading up a barren, rocky mountain on the edge of the Afghan capital, relishing every step of freedom.</p>

<p>The all-female Free to Run group hits the city's trails and parks several times a week, braving disapproving looks, verbal abuse and even physical violence to enjoy the rare pleasure of exercising outdoors.</p>

<p>"When I run, I feel free," says Zahra, 26, whose family name, like that of other female runners interviewed by AFP, has not been used for security reasons.</p>

<p>"I like to run because it motivates me, it gives me a meaning for living."</p>

<p>But it is not easy.</p>

<p>Running in public is something many in ultra-conservative Afghanistan consider shameful for women, who are largely treated like second-class citizens in the patriarchal Muslim-majority society.</p>

<p>It is not unusual for people to stare and hurl insults, says Zahra, who began running a year ago and has already completed two marathons and a half marathon.</p>

<p>"I just laugh at them," she says dismissively.</p>

<p>The marathons take place in safer cities, such as Bamiyan or Mazar-i-Sharif.</p>

<p>For those in war-torn Kabul, where bombs and suicide attacks are frequent, training sessions start at daybreak even through the colder months when temperatures fall below zero and the air thickens with smoke from wood and coal stoves.</p>

<p>Minivans, whose male drivers double as chaperones for the team, collect the girls and women from their homes and drive them to relatively safe running spots.</p>

<p>As the sun peeks over the mountains that surround Kabul, the runners -- wearing tracksuits and headscarves or stretchy bandanas over their hair begin their workout with the men in tow.</p>

<p>Running at their own pace, the girls and women smile and giggle even as their noses run and lungs burn from Kabul's cold, dry and dusty air.</p>

<p>"I feel good when I'm running," says Marmar, 17, who has won three races and finished second twice in the two years she has been competing.</p>

<p>"My family wants me to be a professional (runner). I am proud of myself. So is my family.</p>

<p><strong>'It changed my life'</strong>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Free to Run started in 2014, the brainchild of Canadian human rights lawyer and ultrarunner Stephanie Case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The non-profit organisation aims to empower girls and women in conflict zones through sports like running, hiking, skiing, cycling and kayaking.</p>

<p>So far it has more than 380 members in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Recruiting girls and women to the team is hard.</p>

<p>While the early-morning starts may deter some, the biggest challenge is getting permission from families, says Kubra, Free to Run's country programme manager.</p>

<p>"Families are worried about the security situation and won't let their girls join the team," she explains.</p>

<p>And many think it is not appropriate for girls to run, "especially in an open place".</p>

<p>For that reason, many of the runners are from the Hazara ethnic group, which is widely considered to be the most open and progressive in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>"I feel powerful when I run," says Jamila, 18, whose family is "open-minded" and encourages her to exercise.</p>

<p>"Running gives me a good feeling, I forget all my stress."</p>

<p>Around one-third of the team are serious runners, training for marathons and ultra-marathons in Afghanistan and abroad, including Mongolia and Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>Others turn up to training sessions when they can, appearing to enjoy catching up with their friends as much as the physical exercise.</p>

<p>As well as building fitness, Kubra says running has helped the girls and women manage anxiety and develop self-confidence.</p>

<p>On a recent hike in the mountains, they cheerfully walked or ran as they listened to music, sang, chatted and took selfies.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It changed my life," says Fatima, 26, who began running seven months ago after sensing "something was missing in my life".</p>

<p>"I feel healthy," she says.</p>

<p>"I want to encourage (other girls) to run. This is the easiest sport just run and feel free."</p>


At the crack of dawn in Kabul, dozens of girls and women bounce along a path leading up a barren, rocky mountain on the edge of the Afghan capital, relishing every step of freedom.

At the crack of dawn in Kabul, dozens of girls and women bounce along a path leading up a barren, rocky mountain on the edge of the Afghan capital, relishing every step of freedom. The all-female Free to Run group hits the city's trails and parks several times a week, braving disapproving looks, verbal abuse and even physical violence to enjoy the rare pleasure of exercising outdoors. "When I run, I feel free," says Zahra, 26, whose family name, like that of other female runners interviewed by AFP, has not been used for security reasons. "I like to run because it motivates me, it gives me a meaning for living." But it is not easy. Running in public is something many in ultra-conservative Afghanistan consider shameful for women, who are largely treated like second-class citizens in the patriarchal Muslim-majority society. It is not unusual for people to stare and hurl insults, says Zahra, who began running a year ago and has already completed two marathons and a half marathon. "I just laugh at them," she says dismissively. The marathons take place in safer cities, such as Bamiyan or Mazar-i-Sharif. For those in war-torn Kabul, where bombs and suicide attacks are frequent, training sessions start at daybreak even through the colder months when temperatures fall below zero and the air thickens with smoke from wood and coal stoves. Minivans, whose male drivers double as chaperones for the team, collect the girls and women from their homes and drive them to relatively safe running spots. As the sun peeks over the mountains that surround Kabul, the runners -- wearing tracksuits and headscarves or stretchy bandanas over their hair begin their workout with the men in tow. Running at their own pace, the girls and women smile and giggle even as their noses run and lungs burn from Kabul's cold, dry and dusty air. "I feel good when I'm running," says Marmar, 17, who has won three races and finished second twice in the two years she has been competing. "My family wants me to be a professional (runner). I am proud of myself. So is my family. 'It changed my life' Free to Run started in 2014, the brainchild of Canadian human rights lawyer and ultrarunner Stephanie Case. The non-profit organisation aims to empower girls and women in conflict zones through sports like running, hiking, skiing, cycling and kayaking. So far it has more than 380 members in Afghanistan. Recruiting girls and women to the team is hard. While the early-morning starts may deter some, the biggest challenge is getting permission from families, says Kubra, Free to Run's country programme manager. "Families are worried about the security situation and won't let their girls join the team," she explains. And many think it is not appropriate for girls to run, "especially in an open place". For that reason, many of the runners are from the Hazara ethnic group, which is widely considered to be the most open and progressive in Afghanistan. "I feel powerful when I run," says Jamila, 18, whose family is "open-minded" and encourages her to exercise. "Running gives me a good feeling, I forget all my stress." Around one-third of the team are serious runners, training for marathons and ultra-marathons in Afghanistan and abroad, including Mongolia and Sri Lanka. Others turn up to training sessions when they can, appearing to enjoy catching up with their friends as much as the physical exercise. As well as building fitness, Kubra says running has helped the girls and women manage anxiety and develop self-confidence. On a recent hike in the mountains, they cheerfully walked or ran as they listened to music, sang, chatted and took selfies. "It changed my life," says Fatima, 26, who began running seven months ago after sensing "something was missing in my life". "I feel healthy," she says. "I want to encourage (other girls) to run. This is the easiest sport just run and feel free."

I feel powerful: Afghanistan women find freedom in running

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Afghanistan releases, then redacts memo banning girls from singing. #IAmMySong roars on Twitter

I feel powerful: Afghanistan women find freedom in running