Within the US, they are the only Afghan-led organization on the East Coast that provides culturally sensitive and comprehensive programs to Afghans in Dari and Pashto (Afghanistan’s most widely spoken languages). Despite immeasurable obstacles under the reinstated Taliban regime, they shared their resilient commitment to Afghanistan’s women and girls with the Hive team.
From the organization themselves:
“The return of the Taliban in Afghanistan poses a serious challenge for us as an organization and a devastating one for Afghan women. But, we remind ourselves every day that WAW was established when—and because—the Taliban were in power in 2001.
We remain grounded in these historical facts and our mission. And, although we are heartbroken by this reversal of conditions, we are preparing, once again, to respond to the conditions Afghan women will now be living under the Taliban.
We were determined then, as we are determined now, to help Afghan women and girls exercise their rights to pursue their individual potential, to self-determination, and to their representation in all areas of life. We vowed to become relentless advocates for women’s rights and to challenge the gender-based violence that so many women and girls endure. We were determined then, as we are now, that we would work to influence attitudes and bring about long-term change so that women and girls could live safe, dignified, and empowered lives.
Right now, existence is resistance for WAW—as it is for every woman and girl in Afghanistan. The situation on the ground is, unfortunately, very much like that day in April 2001 when we first started our mission. But, we refuse to be silenced or to cower.
We are working to adjust and adapt to the new reality on the ground. We are negotiating with the new administration in Afghanistan to allow us to continue our work. Although our women’s shelters are closed, WAW is still caring for many children in our Children’s Support Centers and continuing our work with internally displaced persons and refugees. We are determined to employ every resource we have to continue our critical humanitarian work in Afghanistan.
In the US, Our New York Community Center (NYCC) has been working with immigrant communities for years to provide culturally sensitive services, including case management, legal services and support, empowerment classes, and youth and seniors programs, among others. Today, this network of comprehensive programs and services has expanded to attend to the needs of new refugees arriving from Afghanistan, including translators, childcare workers, teachers, doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and pharmacists. As Afghan refugees arrive in the US, WAW’s NYCC is working day and night to coordinate with refugee resettlement agencies in Virginia and New York to welcome Afghans able to evacuate from Afghanistan, with warmth and love.
Meanwhile, we will not leave Afghanistan. We will support our Afghan sisters and brothers who remain in the country, and those who are resettling in the United States.
We have no doubt that the spirit of #AfghanWomenStrong is still alive.
Please help us to keep the work going.”