After working for a few years as a journalist in Afghanistan, Parwiz Mosamim decided to move to Indonesia, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration. He then received a scholarship from ETH Zurich to write his thesis, which examined the barriers faced by Afghan female civil servants during their integration into public administration. This experience motivated him to continue his education and pursue a PhD in Switzerland. Following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, returning to Afghanistan became impossible for him due to the risks he had taken as a journalist and researcher. Although he was able to return briefly to see his family, he was forced to leave and return to Indonesia shortly after.
Parwiz Mosamim joined USI in 2021 thanks to Scholars at Risk (SAR), a network that serves as an intermediary between institutions and individuals to protect threatened academics by helping them find positions at universities worldwide. As a result, the young researcher was welcomed into the team led by Professor Jean-Patrick Villeneuve.
Thinking about the future of Afghanistan, the USI PhD candidate highlights the significance of acknowledging the country’s vast ethnic diversity: "Afghanistan is a highly diverse nation, characterised by a variety of ethnicities, languages, and cultures. Historically, one of the primary reasons for the collapse of regimes has been a lack of respect and understanding for this diversity. The various ethnic groups in the country desire to be included and actively participate in the political process; unfortunately, this is not the case in the current political landscape".
Parwiz Mosamim later clarified the differences between the Taliban government, which regained power in 2021 after the withdrawal of US forces, and other Islamic governments: "The Taliban have a distinct interpretation of Islamic governance that differs from that of other Muslim states. For instance, they have barred women from holding jobs within their administration. Their understanding of Sharia is flawed, as they do not permit women to pursue education. This stance contradicts the principles of Islamic teachings, which encourage both men and women to seek knowledge and educate themselves". According to the researcher, that of the Taliban is a genuine political To illustrate how the status of women has changed since the Taliban’s arrival, the PhD candidate referenced several statistics.: "Before the fall in August 2021, almost 28% of civil service positions were held by women, a very encouraging number. In addition, they also occupied 11 per cent of leadership positions in the public sector and 27 per cent in Parliament". Currently, women and girls "are not even accepted in schools and universities".
A conference called "Diversity and Inclusion in Afghanistan" was held in Washington on 20 September, attended by many representatives of the Afghan diaspora, including Parwiz Mosamim. However, no representatives of the Taliban were present. As explained by the USI PhD candidate, one of the event’s goals was to increase awareness abroad of the situation in Afghanistan: "The Afghan diaspora, spread across the globe, aims to ensure that the international community understands the true reality of our country. Having lived in Afghanistan for 22 years, I have a deep understanding of its complexities. Like many others, I feel it is my responsibility to provide foreign politicians with a different and more accurate perspective. Those of us who have had the opportunity to study have an obligation to share our insights. If we choose to remain silent, nothing will change".
According to Parwiz Mosamim, a new democratic government, capable of turning Afghanistan’s fortunes around, must include all groups on Afghan territory, including the Taliban, because "a diverse representation must be guaranteed". The researcher, who has found a safe environment to live and work at USI, also emphasised the importance of education: "In Afghanistan when I left home in the morning, I was not sure if I would return safely in the evening. Here, I can continue my research with complete freedom and participate in conferences, debates, and travel without limitations. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to study, especially since illiteracy is a significant issue in my country. Literacy is crucial because it enables people to become more informed, make thoughtful choices, and avoid being manipulated".
The full interview with Parwiz Mosamim, edited by Matteo Casali for Corriere del Ticino, is available at the following.
