Welcome to Women for Afghan Women's inaugural issue of our quarterly enewsletter, Itihad-E-Zan. We will bring you news of our work in Afghanistan and Queens, NY, four times a year, along with a feature story about a woman or girl who has been empowered by our work. We will also include any press coverage we have received, or other organizational announcements.
Please look out for our e-news, read the stories, and forward the newsletter to your friends. Thank you for being a part of the WAW community - our work is made possible by your support.
Our very first e-newsletter features Huma. She is also the woman pictured in our header graphic in this issue.
Huma came to Women for Afghan Women (WAW) three years ago when she was only 19 years old. When she was 14, her family arranged her marriage and a formal engagement took place. Her fiancé, Saif Allah, often visited her after the engagement. One day, he arrived with blood all over his clothes. He proceeded to take Huma to his home, even though a wedding had not yet taken place. Huma and her mother were screaming but he just dragged her off by force. He kept her there for two months, during which time he raped and tortured her. Eventually, a wedding took place. To listen to Huma recount about her life with Saif Allah is to hear a litany of terrible violence against her, her mother, sister, and even against Saif Allah's own relatives. Click here to continue reading Huma's story.
Huma.
WAW News
Update from Afghanistan
WAW has established and runs Family Guidance Centers (FGC) and women's shelters in three Afghan cities: Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif and Kapisa. This month's update concentrates on Kabul. Click here to read more about what's going on in Kabul.
Update from Queens
The WAW community center in Flushing, Queens, is buzzing with activity, thanks to the hard work and passion of three new staff members: Shakila Hamidi, Shazia Akberzai and Naheed Samadi. In the past year, we've seen an increase in the numbers of women and girls who come to our center. Click here to read more about the goings-on in Queens.
Update on Afghan Women's Fund
Fahima Vorgetts, WAW Board Member and Afghan Women's Fund Director spent May in Afghanistan. During this trip, Fahima held two important conferences organizing regional groups of women's shoras (cooperatives) to help them pool their economic and personal strengths. Click here to read more about the new shoras and Fahima's trip to Afghanistan.
The Deh Now school funded by AWF
WAW in the News
News Articles Featuring WAW
We've been all over the news lately- check out these links!
