EUGENE, Ore. — Weeks ago, we first brought you the story of an Afghan woman describing the reality under Taliban rule while living in Kabul.

We kept her identity secret for her own safety.

But this week, that woman has safely evacuated Afghanistan and is in a neighboring country with her family.

She spoke to us, revealing her identity, her connection to our community, and her story.

It's the story of a harrowing escape from Taliban rule.

Her name is Nabila Wafeq, and she has a connection to Eugene, attending the University of Oregon at one point. She talked to us and described intimidation at the border.

"We have gone through lots of trauma and lots of violent behavior," she said. "Searching our bags and searching our phones."

Many people are not allowed to leave Afghanistan despite having their passports and papers

"They were beating up people in front of our eyes."

Now finally safe in a neighboring country, Wafeq felt comfortable revealing her identity to us.

Wafeq, now a refugee, is only weeks removed from a traumatic experience. It was only weeks ago that she was spending a typical Sunday in Kabul. She was at the bank when she heard shouting that the Taliban were entering the city.

"I really got scared and they were telling everyone to go back to their home and shelter in place," Wafeq said.

Not sure if it was true, she turned on the news after rushing home.

"We heard that, yeah its actually the reality and Taliban's already inside Kabul City, and even they entered the palace which was really shocking at that time."

Watching the Taliban take over, Wafeq says there was no time to get visas for her family and leave.

"It was all of a sudden and nothing was ready and nothing was prepared," Wafeq said.

Sheltering at home, Wafeq saw anti-Taliban demonstrations met with violence.

"They were beaten up, they were shooting in the air," she said. "Women are secondary citizens and women are actually, women are born to only serve men."

The Taliban has told international media they will allow women to work.

"But the reality on the ground is very different," Wafeq said. "They are not allowing women to work."

Wafeq says that girls past the 6th grade have also been sent home from school. Women are being told to wear stricter coverings, and not to leave home without a man.

And if they don't comply?

"It could be that they are beaten up so anything can happen to a woman," Wafeq said.

Working for an international organization, Wafeq has spent years advocating for gender equality.

"It felt like, okay we are going back to zero and then we have to start all over again fighting for basic things."

Only to watch her worst fear become the reality overnight.

Wafeq tells us she and her family are trying to get to another location and it will be a while before she knows they are completely safe.

She is still working remotely for that international organization, and she tells us she will never stop fighting for the rights of Afghan women and all Afghan people.