Background Info on My Forbidden Face

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live as an Afghan girl under the rule of the Taliban? This question is answered in the book My Forbidden Face. Latifa, a young Afghan girl, discusses her struggles throughout the book. Latifa faces several different problems while being under the rule of the Taliban. She handles these problems with the best of her ability.

First of all, Latifa had to deal with the struggles her mom was facing. Latifa's mother was very ill so she dealt with the situation by trying to help her mother out in every way possible. Latifa was always there to comfort her mom. Latifa's mother was also struggling with not being able to work. Because women weren't allowed to do anything in the Afghan society, Latifa opened a school for the apartment children. Latifa's mother managed to help out by cooking, which she considered a form of work. She watched her children be mistreated throughout the Taliban rule. Latifa had all intentions of receiving an education but she couldn't go to school due to the laws of the Taliban. Latifa's mother saw strong ambitions in her daughter so she encouraged her to believe in herself and always do her best. Latifa managed to deal with her mom's struggles very well.

Secondly, Latifa had to deal with the way women were treated in the Afghan society. Women weren't allowed to go outside of their homes without the company of their father or brother. Latifa managed to deal with this by staying inside. She knew she wouldn't have to deal with the Taliban if she avoided them. Latifa also couldn't stand the fact that women couldn't hold jobs. She opened up a school for the children of her apartment complex knowing there would be harsh consequences if caught. She also had to deal with knowing her mother and sister had to give their jobs up. Women were also required to dress in certain clothing. Latifa claimed

she couldn't walk in the long skirts and couldn't breathe under the facial clothing. Latifa liked to wear nail polish and earrings but this privilege was taken away when the Taliban came into power. Women were treated very badly under the Taliban rule, but Latifa found ways to deal with it.

Thirdly, Latifa had to deal with her own illness of depression and learned to deal with this by reading. She read books about English to stay caught up on her studies at the university. Latifa also read to take her mind off all the problems she was facing. By reading all she could she managed to take her mind off all the problems she was facing. She felt seclusion from her friends. She was seen on a few occasions crying in her room because of being lonely.