Abuse Often Follows Afghans to America

--Kirk Semple, New York Times, February 27, 2011

Naheed Bahram, the chief case manager at Women for Afghan Women — a decade-old advocacy organization based in Fresh Meadows, Queens, where many Afghans have settled — said that as recently as five years ago, the center knew of only two cases of domestic abuse. As the community’s trust in the group has grown, that number has risen: about 35 battered women sought help last year. Ms. Bahram said she suspected that most of the 300 or so women the center serves with classes and counseling had suffered domestic violence but were still afraid to report it. “We’ve had clients who have been living like that for 16 to 17 years,” said Ms. Bahram, an Afghan immigrant herself.

In some ways, the United States can be worse than Afghanistan for abused women, advocates say. Many find themselves isolated in their new country, far from their families, unable to speak English and entirely dependent on husbands and in-laws. Most are unaware of their legal rights or fearful of the authorities. And many Afghans in the diaspora, resistant to full assimilation, hold on to traditional practices even tighter than they would in their home country — even in families that immigrated decades ago. “All my relatives in the United States are more conservative, religiously and culturally, than my relatives in Afghanistan,” said Manizha Naderi, executive director of the Queens group, which runs a network of women’s shelters in Afghanistan.

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WAW's Queens Community Center in New York City is a home away from home for Afghan women. It is a safe space for the women from this community, where their needs are the priority. Most women who frequent the Center live in Queens, although Afghan women from Long Island and other NYC boroughs also participate in our programs. The programs we offer are designed to respond to the needs and challenges of Afghan women living in New York, and to protect their rights.

We conduct our work in the context of the Afghan community, respecting Afghan traditions and practices, and celebrating Afghan culture. All our programs have a core message and purpose: securing, protecting and advancing women's human rights.

The work of this Center was covered in the New York Times in 2011. (See quote above.)

See our quarterly eNews letters for regular updates on all of WAW's programs

Empowerment Classes
We offer a schedule of classes which will give you the life skills to adjust better to life in New York, and prepare for study and/or work here.  All classes are free of charge.
See below for a schedule of our current classes.


Individual Assistance and Counselling

You can come to see us anytime that the Center is open, although it is preferable that you make an appointment with our Program Manager Naheed Bahram (718-591-2434).  Naheed and her team of staff and volunteers will talk with you and guide you to make informed choices for your life.  We are here to help you overcome the challenges you might be facing, and we can assure you absolute confidentiality.  

	Women's Circle These popular monthly meetings are educational and also social. They are open to all Afghan women.  We usually have a guest speaker who will speak on a subject very relevant to Afghan women's lives.  We serve lunch and have informal discussion of topical issues and current events.  The Women's Circle is also a safe space for women to share their personal challenges and to support each other.
	Girls Empowerment Program This is a club for Afghan girls, ages 10 - 14.  Girls help run this program themselves. Activities include: Movies and Discussion, Arts and Crafts, Field Trips, Guest Speakers, Cultural Programs.  Girls learn about the world around them, and the how it relates to the local community they live in.  Girls will grow as responsible team members and leaders, and also have a lot of fun! The group meets every other Saturday. Parents are welcome to call Naheed Bahram at 718-591-2434 if interested.
	Girls Summer Camp WAW held its second annual Girls Summer Camp in August 2011.  Twelve girls aged 9 to 13 participated in the 4-week summer camp.  Each week had a different theme, such as What are human rights and why are they important to us? and What it means to be a leader.  Activities included yoga each morning; movies followed by discussions; arts and crafts; field trips; guest speakers and lunch.  Weekly field trips were to Shakespeare in the Park, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the United Nations, and SONY Wonder Technology Lab.  Guest speakers included a female judge and representatives from Human Rights Watch and Dialogue Beyond Borders. Movies were: Bend it Like Bekham, Motherland Afghanistan, Whale Rider, and Arranged.  If you are interested in WAW Girls' Summer Camp in July 2012, please contact Naheed Bahram at 718-591-2434
	Childrens Tutoring Every Saturday, 12pm – 3pm, Afghan children (boys and girls) are offered tutoring help with school subjects, and test preparation.  We also offer Dari and Pashto languages classes for children on Saturdays.
	Field Trips Several times a year, we organize enjoyable and educational field trips.  Community women have loved these opportunities to take a break from their daily routine and usual environment. During the past year, we had field trips to Governor's Island, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Queens Botanical Garden, and the Bronx Zoo.  On December 4th, 2010 after WAW's Eid Party, we took in total 30 women to a play at NYU Skirball Center called " The Great Game: Afghanistan." We travelled by bus and train. A group of young girls also attended. This was our client Bibi Aisha's first time taking the NY subway!

Queens Advisory Committee
click HERE to see our advisory committee

Staff
click HERE to see our Queen's staff

Volunteers

WAW relies on many capable and dedicated volunteers to run the Queens Community Center. Many come to us through our wonderful partnership with NY Cares.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Center, please write to us using the form here.

Office Information

Women for Afghan Women
158-24 73rd Ave.
Fresh Meadows, NY 11366

Tel: 718.591.2434
FAX: 718.591.2430

The Center is open from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday thru Friday and 11 am – 4:30 pm on Saturdays.

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