On Tuesday, Taliban spokesman in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, gave the movement's first press conference in the Afghan capital, Kabul, after the country fell to its fighters, reassurances and pledges to respect press freedom and not to persecute journalists. Covering the hair, Mujahid declared "the end of the war" and pardoned all opponents. A spokesman for the group's political office in Doha, Suhail Shaheen, said that women's wearing of the burqa has become optional, but women must wear the veil at least. This comes within the framework of the movement's attempt to get closer to the international community and to obtain recognition of its legitimacy in government.
A day after the Taliban entered the Afghan capital, Kabul, and the Afghan president fled from it, scenes of chaos spread and thousands of people flock to leave Afghanistan.
But Mehbooba Siraj is not one of them.
Mahbouba has long advocated for women's and children's rights and heads the Afghan Women's Skills Development Center, an organization whose work aims to empower women and girls in areas such as literacy and domestic violence awareness.
Just two weeks ago, she was loved in the United States but decided to return to Afghanistan.
"All these women, all these girls, all these people are my responsibility and I have to be there to ensure their safety," the activist told the BBC. "I can't abandon them, leave them, or leave the country."