Since the fall of Taliban in 2001, the women in Afghanistan have come a long way. They have overcome insurmountable odds and moved up the agenda in their country. They see themselves now as active agents of positive change, rather than as passive victims. After years of groping in the dark for years, many women have returned to work, some have donned the mantle of business entrepreneurs, some have joined civil service, some have jumped the political bandwagon and some others have explored other avenues to become financially independent.

Women today make up 28 percent of the Afghan Parliament, with 68 seats, more than U.S. Congress. They have adequate representation in government, with three ministries headed by women. Thousands of women have joined the police force, and are serving on the frontlines. Nearly 40 percent of the 8.6 million children enrolled in schools comprise girls. More than 40,000 women are pursuing higher education in colleges. There are women running shops, and there are women who work from home.

All this bears eloquent testimony to the fact that women in Afghanistan have made tremendous progress in last one decade. There is no looking back now.