Women for Afghan
Press Release
11-13-01

Women for Afghan Women, the first grassroots organization in New York City dedicated to the rights of Afghan women, is pleased to announce its debut event:

Women for Afghan Women: Securing Our Future
A two-day conference prioritizing the voices of Afghan women leaders in finding just and meaningful solutions for their nation and the world.
Thursday, November 29 and Friday, November 30, 2001, New York City

The conference will trace the history of women's rights and roles in Afghanistan through the past thirty years, examine the current crisis in governance and human rights in Afghanistan, and bring together key voices to put forward realistic and visionary solutions for post-war Afghanistan.

As the Taliban is ousted from Kabul and the Northern Alliance claims restoration of women's rights in that city, it is more crucial than ever that Afghan women leaders are leaders and participants in the reconstruction of their nation. There can be no just and meaningful solutions without Afghan women at the very core of planning and action, and hence the timeliness of the conference.

Panelists will include Afghan women leaders, leaders of the American women's movement, Muslim women leaders from various countries, and leaders within the United Nations.

The conference will be held November 29 and 30 at Proschansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue (between 34th and 35th Streets) in New York City. The conference, which is free of charge, has been made possible by discretionary grants from The Sister Fund, the North Star Fund, and the Global Fund for Women, and is co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Certificate Program at the CUNY Graduate Center.

About WAW
Women for Afghan Women (WAW), founded in April, 2001, is a new collective of Afghan and non-Afghan women in the New York area who are committed to the human rights of Afghan women. WAW seeks to bring greater awareness to the issues of Afghanistan and Afghan women, and promote the agency of Afghan women in issues that impact their lives.

Press Briefing
Thursday, November 29, 10-11 am; Graduate Center/CUNY Room C201 Members of the press are invited to a special press briefing during which selected panelists and organizers will be available to answer questions. Please RSVP to Fahima Danishgar if you are planning to attend.

Overview of the Conference
Thursday, November 29, 12 pm - 7 pm The keynote address will be given by Sima Wali, Refugee Women in Development. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Riffat Hassan, Feminist Theologian; Sister Sanaa Nadim, Egyptian Qu'ranic Scholar; and Gloria Steinem, Founder, Ms. Magazine. Friday, November 30, 9 am - 4 pm Confirmed Speakers include: Rina Amiri, Harvard University; Farida Azizi, Afghan peace activist; Angela King, Assistant Secretary-General to the United nations and Special Advisor on Gender; Zohra Rasekh, Global Watch Group; Fahima Vorgetts, Afghan women's activist; and Flouran Wali, Doctors of the World.