Already, as a woman in Afghanistan, you can’t leave the house without your brother or father or uncle. But now you can’t speak when you’re outside your home. No asking for what you want in a store, no telling a taxi driver where you want to go. To say “excuse me” is to break the law.  

No, this is not some historical retrospective. This is present day earth.

The murder of Rebecca Cheptegei, and the passing of new restrictions on women in Afghanistan make me angry. Also sad, and a little scared. Mostly, though, I feel determined.

As a publication dedicated to elevating women’s voices, these events only strengthen our mission – to unleash women’s power, one story, one poem at a time. For those of us (currently) free to pursue an education, work, write and speak, they're a call to action. We must do it, and make it possible for the next girl and the girl after that.

Most of all, to me, these events are a reminder that I’m not free until we’re all free.

If being able to say your peace/your piece in public matters to you, consider supporting us with a paid subscription, or through purchasing Certain Age merch. Your investment lets us create this space for women to speak freely. Together, we can remind the world that women of a Certain Age are a force, and we will not be silenced.

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xo Jean