On Tuesday, December 11th, 2001, Women for Afghan Women and Cowgirl Media co-hosted an evening of film and discussion featuring Mohsen Makhmalbaf's award-winning film KANDAHAR to benefit Afghan women's relief.

The evening began with a reception at Afghan restaurant Pamir, followed by a pre-release screening of the film KANDAHAR and a panel discussion. Panelists included Sharifa Alkhateeb (North American Council of Muslim Women), Gulbadan Habibi (UNICEF), and Masuda Sultan (Young Afghan-Word Alliance).

The event raised almost $10,000, nearly doubling an emergency relief grant that sponsor American Jewish World Service made to the grassroots, Afghan women-led groups Afghan Institute of Learning/Creating Hope International when the bombing began in October. With these funds, AIL/CHI is providing healthcare, winter survival gear, and education to thousands of Afghan women and children in the refugee camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan; and continuing their ongoing health, education, and income-generating programs that serve over 100,000 Afghan women and children a year.

A huge thank you to Cowgirl Media founder Ruth Patkin who created and produced the event, and to sponsors American Jewish World Service and Avatar Films. And of course, thanks to all our supporters who came out and contributed to the evening's success.

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