CRIMSON RESISTANCE w/Hoda Khamosh

​In a world where silence is often forced upon Afghan women, Hoda Khamosh speaks with fire—her words are her weapon, and her red lips are her battle cry. As a poet, writer, fearless activist, and founder of the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement, she has ignited a revolution that needs neither guns nor swords, only the unwavering courage to be seen and heard. Through the ‘Red For Afghanistan Women’ movement, she reminds us that defiance can be as simple, as bold, and as powerful as a single stroke of crimson.

ALLIÉ: Red lipstick has become a symbol of resistance for Afghan women under your movement. Can you share a personal moment when wearing red lipstick felt like an act of defiance, and what emotions you carried in that moment?

HODA: I wear red lipstick in most of my places and work. It reminds me not to be afraid of my feminine power wherever I am. And to act powerfully with my feminine sense, for me this is not only strength but also loving my personality and identity.

ALLIÉ: As a poet and writer, your words have become weapons in the fight for justice. In times when speaking out feels dangerous, what gives you the strength to keep writing and advocating for Afghan women?

HODA: Have you heard the saying that a wounded snake releases more venom? Yes, we, the women of Afghanistan, are that wounded snake—crushed under the false promises of human rights imposed by the so-called laws of the world. Yet,we strive with even greater strength to defend ourselves, to save ourselves and to find a path toward a better future.

ALLIÉ: Afghan women around the world have joined you in this movement, wearing red as a sign of solidarity. What does it mean to you to see this global sisterhood forming, and what message do you hope resonates with women who may feel powerless in their own battles?

HODA: This solidarity comes from our shared gender. We women, throughout centuries, have experienced the ugliness and filth of patriarchal societies everywhere in the world—a society that has sought to oppress us. So, when one woman raises her voice, other women join in and revolt.

ALLIÉ: Resistance often comes with personal sacrifice. What has been the greatest cost of your activism, and how do you navigate the balance between personal safety and the urgency of the fight for Afghan women’s rights?

HODA: I have endured many blows on the path of struggle—from the moment my mother was hanged and my sister was shot in my place, to the times I was imprisoned and beaten. But instead of breaking me, these experiences made me stronger. They taught me how to choose a path of resistance that amplifies my strength rather than crushing me.

ALLIÉ: If you could look into the eyes of a young Afghan girl who is afraid to use her voice, what would you tell her about the power of a single color, a single word, and a single act of defiance?

HODA: I will tell her… Revolution and victory are in your gaze. Do not let fear stand in the way of your progress and triumph. Rise up and find your path in life through resistance, for Afghanistan, and this misogynistic society that does not recognize any rights for you. No rights will be given to you—you must rise and take what is yours. ∎

On Instagram, follow Hoda: @hoda_khamoosh
Find Afghan Women’s Justice: @afghanwomensjustice
Learn more about the Afghanistan Women’s Justice Movement: af-wjm.org