>Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2002 23:31:27 -0600 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Afghan Women's Mission Newsletter, Feb. 2002 > >(apologies for the previous email without subject line) > > +==================+ > | Resalat-e-Zanaan | > +==================+ > >------------------------------------------------------------------- > Vol. III, No. 1 February 2002 > > Newsletter of the Afghan Women's Mission > 260 S. Lake Ave. PMB 165, Pasadena CA 91101, USA > Subscribe at to this free electronic newsletter at: > http://www.afghanwomensmission.org > > In this issue: > > * From the Desk of the President - Steve Penners updates us on > recent events at AWM and the importance of continued > support from donors. > > * RAWA Member Tours the United States - Tahmeena Faryal of > RAWA testified in front of the US Congress and spoke > at various venues around the country. > > * A Star Studded Benefit for RAWA - Track 16 Art Gallery > in Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, hosted a large > fundraiser dedicated to RAWA, to help reopen > Malalai Hospital. > > * Interview with Tahmeena Faryal of RAWA - Afghan Women's Mission > interviews Tahmeena about the current bombing of Afghanistan, > RAWA and the women of Afghanistan. > > * Report on the War in Afghanistan and its impact on > Afghan civilians, especially women. > > * What's new at AWM? Finally, online donations! > > * Feedback: Talk back to AWM - We want to hear from you. > > To view the newsletter in html format (with accompanying images) > http://www.afghanwomensmission.org/newsletter/02_2002_10110.php >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > The Afghan Women's Mission is a project of SEE, a U.S. 501[c](3) > non-profit organization (tax ID 95-4116679). > Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ==================================================== > || FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT || > ==================================================== > >Dear friends, > >Our previous newsletter was published in August, before the >terrible events of September had transpired. Since then much has >happened. One of the most exciting and encouraging things is >that we have been able to reopen Malalai Hospital! In fact, we >held up the publication of our newsletter so we could make this >announcement. > >The new Malalai Clinic opened in September of 2001 with about 70 >patients treated on opening day. Demand quickly outpaced >available resources and eventually a second doctor was brought on >the staff to help handle about 150-200 patients a day. On January >1, 2002 a much larger hospital was opened replacing the small >clinic. It is located in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and is in a two >story building with 32 rooms. Eight nurses and four doctors; a >children's specialist, a gynecologist, a surgeon and a general MD >see 200-250 patients per day. There are 25 beds for in-patient >care. The patients are suffering mainly from gynecological >problems, bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting, chest and respiratory >tract disorders, skin diseases, psychological problems and >malnutrition. > >Malalai Hospital is our flagship project and something we have >been working on since our inception in January 2000. We are >really thankful for your support in making this a reality and we >welcome your ongoing donations to keep this program alive and >helping those who need it. If you would like to pledge your >support in keeping this hospital up and running, you can do so on >our web site. We would invite each of our readers to do so at a >level that is comfortable for you. This is a great way to bring >a lot of hope, healing and love to those in need. We will be >bringing you more details on Malalai Hospital in coming months. >Check our web site for updated photos and details. > >On a less upbeat note, we've also seen big changes in the Afghan >political climate with the demise of the Taliban regime. But the >changes have not necessarily improved people's lives. > >Women are now said to be terrified to leave their homes for fear >of being raped. Business owners find the lawlessness of certain >Northern Alliance factions to be a serious threat not only to >their business, but to their lives. Murders, rapes, thefts, >executions, massacres and other crimes are reminding people of >the period of 1992-96 where the people cheered the coming of the >Taliban to put an end to the rule of the warlords. Even the new >interim president has said that warlordism must come to an end in >Afghanistan for just these very reasons. > >In addition, the refugee situation in Pakistan and neighboring >countries continues to worsen with many having suffered the loss >of loved ones in recent US military action. To add insult to >injury many countries hosting Afghan refugees are changing their >policies toward them and working to force them to return to >Afghanistan. The four year drought is also having a severe >impact with many people in a weakened condition and either dying >or ill. As in all wars, women are bearing the brunt of the >suffering and misery. > >We have a very interesting newsletter for you this time, and hope >you will enjoy reading it. Thanks again to all who are >helping make Malalai Hospital a reality! > >Sincerely, >Steve Penners >President, Afghan Women's Mission >------------------------------------------------------------------ > > ==================================================== > || RAWA TOURS UNITED STATES || > ==================================================== > >Tahmeena Faryal of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of >Afghanistan (RAWA) spent some very busy months in the United >States on a tour that was planned well in advance of the tragic >events of September 11th. Tahmeena arrived in late September and >spent time on the East Coast, conducting important meetings with >US government officials about the situation of Afghan women and >RAWA's work. She testified to the U.S. House Of Representatives >Committee on International Relations, Subcommittee on >International Operations and Human Rights the U.S. on October >31st. Though her trip was planned before the tragedy of >September 11th, her presence at this critical time was very >important - and the views of RAWA were represented in local, >regional and national media all over North America. > > +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ > | "RAWA's work is ... aimed toward giving voice to our downtrodden | > | people, especially the women -- and empowering women and men not | > | to forget that they - we all - deserve human rights and freedoms | > | and to look toward a day when the guns and rockets will stop and | > | we can begin to rebuild." | > | | > | "RAWA, on behalf of more than half of the population of Afghani- | > | stan, also must insist that any Loya Jirga or interim-government | > | development process is not legitimate unless it includes and | > | heeds women's voices from beginning to end in substantial and | > | meaningful ways. We ask the unequivocal support of the US and | > | other democracy- and justice-loving countries for this and our | > | other standpoints." | > | | > | - Tahmeena Faryal, RAWA October 31st Congressional Hearing. | > +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ > >During Tahmeena's stay, RAWA was awarded the Glamour Magazine >Award for "Women of the Year" as well as the Emma Humphries >Memorial Prize for RAWA's work toward ending violence against >women. > >Tahmeena also spent time raising awareness about Afghanistan and >RAWA in Illinois, California, Pennsylvania, New York and more. > >Please visit our website at www.afghanwomensmission.org for a >detailed report of her trip to Southern California where Afghan >Women's Mission organized part of Tahmeena's visit and raised >money for and awareness about RAWA. > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ============================================== > || SANTA MONICA: BENEFIT EVENT FOR RAWA || > ============================================== > >Artists, actors, musicians, community leaders and more showed >overwhelming support for RAWA at the "Algebra of Infinite >Injustice" benefit at Track 16 Art Gallery, Santa Monica on >November 14th. This was the largest fundraiser dedicated to RAWA >alone, in the United States with over 400 people in attendance. >The event was a tapestry of art, music, and words in support of >RAWA. On display was art and photography relevant to the Afghan >crisis, which included AWM President, Steve Penners' moving >exhibit: "A View with a Grain of Sand"; images of Afghan refugees >and RAWA projects from a trip to Pakistan earlier in the year. > >As people filled the halls of Track 16, familiar faces appeared: >Benecio del Toro, Annette Bening, Lisa Bonet, Marisa Tomei and >many other Hollywood activists showed up with support for RAWA. >An impressive array of donated food filled one room, and a video >exhibit of secret RAWA footage kept people enthralled in another. >A silent auction commenced in the large back room, with scores of >generously donated objects which included antique jewelry, >designer clothing, carpets and scarves. > >At about 8 pm, musicans John Densmore and accompanists began the >performance part of the evening with a song for and about >Afghanistan. Following him, singer Antonieta Villamil sang a >moving rendition of a poem by Meena, founder of RAWA called "I am >the Woman Who Has Awoken." Next, Karen Palley of the Los Angeles >Women in Black, international supporters of RAWA, spoke in >solidarity with RAWA and the common threads of their struggles. >Following her was poet-extraordinaire Alfre Woodard read some >incredible pieces of work in tribute to RAWA. Vice President of >Afghan Women's Mission, Sonali Kolhatkar spoke of the importance >of never again forgetting Afghan women and the Afghan people in >general. Jerry Quickly recited a poem followed by ex-senator >Tom Hayden introducing Tahmeena of RAWA. His passionate >introduction reminded us that the mentality of the Taliban is >everywhere, including the United States, personified by the Ku >Klux Klan and other fundamentalists. > >Tahmeena's much awaited speech earned her a standing ovation >before she even began to speak. She spoke about the importance of >support by individuals toward RAWA. She reminded people of the >suffering of Afghans and of the women who are fighting for change >in that country. > >The evening ended with music by members of Smashing Pumpkins >accompanying Will Oldham as audience members mingled and donated >more money. Over $30,000 was raised for Malalai Hospital that >evening. AWM wishes to recognize the heroic efforts of the >organizers and volunteers who spent many weeks organizing this >amazing event. > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ============================================== > || AWM INTERVIEWS RAWA || > ============================================== > >Sonali Kolhatkar, Vice President of the Afghan Women's Mission, >interviewed Tahmeena Faryal of RAWA on November 12, 2001 as part >of a web-broadcast special for the Los Angeles Independent Media >Center by Radio IMC-LA and the Community Voices Project. Here is >an excerpt of the interview: > >This interview was recorded for the Los Angeles Independent Media >Center by Radio IMC-LA and the Community Voices Project. > >Sonali: RAWA says the Northern Alliance are no better [than the >Taliban] in terms of their human rights record, yet today the >United States is supporting the Northern Alliance to advance its >war in Afghanistan. Should Afghans be very afraid and if so, why? > >Tahmeena: The people of Afghanistan are really terrified of the >Northern Alliance being a part of any official government in >Afghanistan. They would not forget the blackest period of 1992 to >1996. We believe that is really the blackest period in the >history of Afghanistan. Coming back to your question of what was >the worst time, that was really the worst time and what made it >even worse and more tragic that that was kept silent, not media >coverage, not any attention toward the situation and regarded as >a legitimate government for Afghanistan. So, people will not >forget that time. People will not forget that the hospital, the >school, the museum and the 70-80% of the capital city of Kabul >were destroyed during that time. That many cases of rape, women's >abduction, forced marriages, happen at that time. And that would >happen again, if they take the power, because they have the same >nature and that nature is not going to be changed. > >Sonali: RAWA has appealed to the international community in terms >of solving Afghanistan's problems of war and fun damentalism of >Taliban and Northern Alliance. What has that appeal been to the >international community and how has it changed after September >11th? > >Tahmeena: RAWA had warned in the early 80's, when many different >countries like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, United States, >France, had started supporting financially and militarily the >fundamentalists that they were going to be a very dangerous >phenomenon, not only for the people of Afghanistan and that >region but for the whole world. RAWA had anticipated the >incidents such as 11 September. With the nature those >fundamentalists had and have, they even would not care about the >countries that once aided and supported them and there would be a >slap on their faces, as we say in Persian. Unfortunately, that >happened. No one really listened to that. And this might be just >the first time, we don't know what else is going to happen. In >these countries and obviously again, the people of Afghanistan >are the victims. > >Sonali: What is RAWA's position on the bombing campaign by the >United States, especially in the context that the claim that the >bombing campaign by the United States is specifically aimed at >getting rid of the Taliban? > >Tahmeena: Again, it is so unfortunate that all of the attention >toward Afghanistan came just after the 11th of September. Before >that it was the largest forgotten tragedy in the world. All of >the sudden, it was just after the 11th of September as if it was >just after that incident that the world realized that they are >not very good people. It's just now that they claim that this is >not a legitimate or proper government for the people of >Afghanistan. And for that we need to get rid of them and >unfortunately get rid of them by bombing. We welcome the combat >against terrorism and in fact this combat should have started >years ago in terms of preventing incidents like 11th September >and obviously the people of Afghanistan that have been the >victims of the same hands for years, which never received any >attention. As if people in Afghanistan deserve all those >atrocities and crimes and they are definitely done to people in >other parts of the world. But this combat against terrorism >cannot be by bombing this or that country. It should be a really >massive campaign and that is to stop any country that sells arms >or supports financially the fundamentalists' movements or >fundamentalist regimes. For example, right now in Pakistan, there >are thousands of religious schools with hundreds and thousands of >religious students and each and every one of them are going to be >future Osamas. Supposedly if this bombing can get at Osama, or >the Taliban or some terrorist's camps, again, this does not mean >that they have prevented the terrorists and incidents in the >future. As far as we know, so far this bombing has had 100's of >civilian causalities. And we don't know what has happened to the >terrorist camps or Osama or Taliban, but hundred's of innocent >people have paid the price. > >Sonali: In addition to the hundreds of people that were directly >killed by the bombs, many international aid agencies are talking >about the mass starvation of Afghans. 7 million Afghans are on >the verge of starvation today who were dependant on aid agencies >supplying them with food because Afghanistan has been undergoing >a drought for the last few years and it's a broken country after >two decades of war. How should the international community >respond to this impending disaster which could eventually lead to >millions of innocent Afghan deaths? > >Tahmeena: Well, immediate humanitarian aid is the first thing >that should be done towards helping the millions of people on the >verge of starvation. And, at least, it is very easy to do that in >Pakistan. In Afghanistan, because of the bombing, obviously many >of these humanitarian organizations would have trouble getting >in. But at least in Pakistan, or Iran or in other countries, >neighboring countries, thousands of refugees have fled after 11 >September and especially after the U.S. bombing. They also have >this same horrible situation as the people in Afghanistan. It >should not be very difficult for these humanitarian organizations >to provide for those refugees. Just in Pakistan, after the 11 >September, more than 100,000 refugees came. Or last year, from >the drought and cold and war, we had more than 100,000 refugees >come into Pakistan. This 7 million is really not a figure after >the 11 September or the U.S. bombing, it was months ago. Even at >the time that Afghanistan was not bombed the humanitarian >organizations could do something significant to help these people >not to die. And unfortunately, in Pakistan, when RAWA members >were distributing humanitarian aid to the refugees, they were >told, this is also on our website, by a refugee that they would >not see anything from the humanitarian organizations. They told >RAWA members that they came several times to the camp, listed the >families that needed shelter, because most of the people there >had very small tents, plastic tents, and they came back several >times asking the families who needed the shelter, but in 7 months >they were not provided with any shelter. So, obviously we know >that they are concerned, but they should act urgently. I mean >there are problems in Afghanistan, but at least the refugees in >Pakistan or Tajikastan or Iran, I don't think that would be very >difficult to be provided these humanitarian aids. > >Sonali: So, you've been a member of RAWA for most of your adult >life and it's a very difficult life for a member of an >underground revolutionary organization who faces so much security >problem, who faces so much opposition by these incredibly >powerful armed fundamentalist groups. What keeps you going and >what keeps other members of RAWA going? > >Tahmeena: It has a lot to do with the situation. Because when you >live in a country where you see the people having lost >everything, their moral and material values. And you see the >women in your country that are going through the most horrible >experiences that one can imagine that can happen to a human >being, I think that if you have a little bit of consciousness, >you cannot keep quiet, in silence. You need to do something. I >think this is the main reason so many women, educated women, >committed suicide in Afghanistan, because they did not have >contact with an organization like RAWA. They found themselves >totally helpless and hopeless and out of no option they committed >suicide. I think I might have been one of them had I not had this >contact with RAWA, had I not worked with RAWA. Because, again, >when you think your people and your country, all the horrible >tragedies happening there and you always think and think about >that without doing anything, you definitely would end up with >psychological problems. But when you do something and you know >that that is effective that that saves lives, obviously you can >get energy and continue with that. So that is the main point. But >also, I think that we are inspired by our other members. And >maybe one is inspired by the other and obviously we are all >inspired by the founding leader of RAWA, Meena. In fact it was >Meena who was always telling other RAWA members, even if she was >not among us one day, others should continue what she started. >And also, it is very strengthening and heartfelt that we have the >support of the international community. I think when we see the >support of, especially women, all over the world like some of the >cases that we were talking about last night, like women who walk >in order to raise awareness and raise financial support or people >going on hunger strike because of raising money for RAWA or for >example, the committed supporters we have in this country, like >Afghan Women's Mission [and our] other supporters on the East >coast, that is really such a source of hope and energy. It's >really important to know that you're not alone, that there are other >people who care who listen and who help and support you any >way that they can. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ========================================================= > || REPORT ON WAR IN AFGHANISTAN: IMPACT ON CIVILIANS || > ========================================================= > >Many of us who have been paying attention to Afghanistan well >before the terrorist attacks in the United States in September, >were aware of the acute situation facing Afghans with respect to >starvation, cold, poverty and women's rights. > >STARVATION AND DROUGHT > >According to Oxfam International (Dec 6th): >"The 2001 harvest has been about 50 per cent that of a normal year >(much lower in some regions), in the third year of a severe drought. >Even before the current crisis, 5.5 million Afghans - around 20 per >cent of the population - were already at risk of severe food shortages. > >Afghans' vulnerability to this three-year drought (which covers >much of central Asia) is increased by deep, underlying poverty, >resulting in an annual life expectancy of only 44 years. Some 75 >per cent of Afghans do not have safe water, 90 per cent do not >have adequate sanitation, and more than 75 per cent do not have >access even to the most basic health care. As a result, 25 per >cent of children die before the age of five." > >There are reports of hundreds of refugees, mostly children, have >died from the cold and starvation in Northern Afghanistan and >Iran (177 in Kunduz, 6 in Iran, etc). > >IMPACT OF THE US MILITARY CAMPAIGN > >In addition to the effects of drought and poverty, the situation >for Afghans has only gotten worse since the US bombing campaign: > >- UNICEF has estimated that 100,000 more Afghan children will die >this year as a result of lack of access to aid and protection >from the winter due to the US bombing campaign. > >- Over 4,000 civilians have been killed in Afghanistan by US >bombs according to a study by Professor Marc Herold of the >University of New Hampshire. > >- The UNHCR has estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 >refugees have fled into Pakistan since the US attacks on >Afghanistan. The total number of Internally Displaced Refugees in >Afghanistan is now 763,000. > >AFGHAN WOMEN'S RIGHTS > >The fall of the Taliban is indeed good news for Afghan women who >have been living under de-humanizing laws for the past five >years. However, there is much reason for caution in our optimism. > >Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange recently returned from a fact- >finding mission to Afghanistan and Pakistan where she met several >Afghan women's rights groups including RAWA. As part of her >report-back, she reflected on the Bonn delegation for the interim >government in Afghanistan with respect to women's involvement: >"While it is a positive development that several women were asked >to participate in the Bonn talks on the transition government, >the women were selected by the male delegates in a completely >undemocratic fashion. We met many women who felt that several of >the women delegates were selected primarily due to family >connections. Women's groups that have been on the forefront of >defending women's rights under the reign of the Taliban were not >invited." > >RAWA has issued a statement denouncing the re-gaining of control >by the Northern Alliance, reminding the international community >of their crimes during the early 1990s. They urged the United >Nations to expedite the deployment of multinational troops to >ensure an end to lawlessness. According to RAWA, "The mere end of >the forced misery and humiliation of the burqa is in no way an >indication of attainment of women's rights and liberties. The >Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, as the >only feminist anti-fundamentalist organisation in Afghanistan, >believes that only with the establishment of a secular and >democratic government in Afghanistan will Afghan women be able to >unburden the deadweight of centuries of oppression and stand >their full stature on a par with men". For more information >please see www.rawa.org. > >In late November, a group of women in Kabul tried to organize a >public march for their rights and were prevented from doing so by >the Northern Alliance who cited security concerns. > >-------------------------------------------------------------------- > > ============================================== > || AFGHAN WOMEN'S MISSION NEWS || > ============================================== > >AWM INTRODUCES ONLINE DONATIONS > >Afghan Women's Mission has developed a secure method for >accepting online donations for RAWA. We allow donors to donate >directly to any category they wish to donate (education, >healthcare, orphanages, emergency relief, awareness raising, or >general). It's now easier than ever to make a donation to RAWA >using your credit card (Visa, Mastercard and Discover accepted). >Remember, all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the >law. Donate now at: > >http://www.afghanwomensmission.org/help_us/donate.php > > >FEEDBACK: WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! > >Dear AWM friends, > >We at the Afghan Women's Mission would like you to share your >unique ideas for raising awareness and funds for the women of >Afghanistan. If you have organized a fundraiser, benefit concert >or just done something creative to raise money - let us know. In >the past months, we have corresponded with hundreds of donors - >but we know there are hundreds more whose wonderful acts are the >reason we can continue to support RAWA's work. We will feature >the best ideas on our web site and in our next newsletter! > >Send your email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and we'll >send you an email with the information we need! > >Best regards, > >Neesha Mirchandani >Manager, Operations @ AWM > > >==================================================================== >You have been reading Resalat-e-Zanaan*, a quarterly publication of >SEE/Afghan Women's Mission, >260 S. Lake Ave. PMB 165, Pasadena, CA 91101 USA. >Fax: (509)756-2236 >Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Web site: http://www.afghanwomensmission.org >You may subscribe to Resalat-e-Zanaan from our web site. >We welcome your comments and contributions to Resalat-e-Zanaan. >If you have an item of interest please send it along to >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >The Afghan Women's Mission does not rent, exchange, sell or >otherwise share information from its Resalat-e-Zanaan mailing list. >Copyright (c) 2000-2002, SEE/Afghan Women's Mission. >All rights reserved worldwide. > >*Resalat-e-Zanaan: "Women's Mission" in Persian. >===================================================================== > > >--------------------------------------------------------------------- >Click on the link below to be removed from the >Afghan Women's Mission Mailing List. > >http://www.afghanwomensmission.org/cgi-bin/mm.cgi?[EMAIL PROTECTED] >(Or copy and paste the link into your browser) >---------------------------------------------------------------------
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