The Taliban’s issuance of over 100 restrictive edicts has instituted gender apartheid in Afghanistan, systematically erasing women and girls from public life. By banning female secondary education, prohibiting employment, restricting movement without a male guardian and limiting access to healthcare, the regime has stripped women of their most fundamental rights. These sweeping measures have created a profound humanitarian and mental health crisis that isolates women within their own country, turning a nation into a prison.
Shikha S Lamba is a Hong Kong-based jewellery designer, poet, humanitarian and women’s rights advocate who champions Afghan women through poetry, art and advocacy, countering severe Taliban restrictions.
With awareness, it’s easy to feel helpless. In a piece for the Zan Times, she explains how we can all support women and children in Afghanistan in simple, meaningful ways:
https://zantimes.com/2026/09/22/how-can-an-ordinary-person-support-afghan-women
Shikha credits bestselling Afghan-American author Nadia Hashimi, who recently braved The Writer’s Gauntlet, or who recently came out on top in a Battle of The Wits, as the spark that ignited her passion for helping Afghan women and children—and the appreciation is entirely mutual.
One simple way Hongkongers can help is by supporting Shikha’s Candles for Charity initiative. Shikha hand-pours each candle using high-quality soy wax and essential oils in reusable porcelain and ceramic bowls and jars. 100% of candle sales are donated to NGOs delivering critical aid to women and children in Afghanistan. (Candle sales are limited to Hong Kong.)
Every candle lit and dollar shared is a message of hope to Afghan women that distance is no barrier to compassion.
A widely published poet and Pushcart Prize nominee, Shikha recently curated a powerful poetry collection to raise the voices of Afghan women in collaboration with Jack Caradoc’s The Candyman’s Trumpet, with striking cover artwork by Zuhra Nadem.
The Taliban has attempted to turn a nation into a prison for Afghan women, but hope and resilience persist. By reading their stories, amplifying their poetry, buying a candle, or donating directly to grassroots NGOs, we all have the power to break their isolation and prevent Afghan women from being erased.
Solidarity isn’t a slogan. It can be found in the deliberate, everyday choices we make. The women of Afghanistan are refusing to be silenced—and the least we can do is ensure their voices are heard and shared.
A conversation between Sadie Kaye and Shikha S Lamba was published this week by Cha: An Asian Literary Journal. You can read Challenging the Patriarchy with Poetry and Prose here: https://chajournal.com/2026/09/19/shikha-s-lamba
You can also independently donate and support the following organisations delivering aid to Afghan women, children and families:
- Hope and Kindness Afghanistan – Food, medical, home, clothing, winter, and school supplies aid
- Sahar Education – Vocational training and education for Afghan women and girls
- Safe Path Prosperity – Sanitary Aid for Afghan women and girls
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