The war in Afghanistan is having the greatest effect on the country’s civilians. Afghan women have often been the target of the violence. Years ago, the Taliban leadership banned music and education for girls. The Taliban also restricted outdoor activities when it was controlling much of Afghanistan. Today, some young Afghans are using music to spread a message of hope and peace. The young musicians are part of a new orchestra, known as Zohra. The group was created in 2014 as part of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. Ahmed Naser Sarmast is the institute’s director and founder of the orchestra. The name Zohra comes from a music goddess in Persian literature, he notes. Most of the orchestra’s members are young girls. They are using the power of music to help ease tensions and work in support of women's rights. Negin Khpolwak is Zohra’s first female conductor. She told VOA that Afghanistan has taken steps to support women’s rights over the past 17 years.
