Zaafirah is 17 years old. She has just learned to walk again. Zaafirah’s tragedy began the day she was forced into a marriage with a man from her village in an exchange arranged by her parents. The harrowing abuse started as soon as the young girl moved in with her new husband and in-laws. Her parents would remain in the dark because Zaafirah’s husband and in-laws would ban her from visiting or communicating with her family. After months of abuse that amounted to torture, Zaafirah became so weak and her condition deteriorated to such a terrible state that her in-laws contacted her father and told him that she had been diagnosed with cancer. They asked him to come to their house to take her back, alluding that she was “damaged goods.” When her father arrived, they handed over Zaafirah at their doorstep without letting him into the house. Once they got home, Zaafirah’s father realized that she had suffered the most unbearable physical abuse. Muscles in her leg were severed, her nails had …
Women's Protection Centers
WAW and Women’s Protection Centers in Afghanistan
This powerful documentary featuring Women for Afghan Women (WAW) and our work offering support, protection, and shelter to women through our Women's Protection Centers (WPCs) in Afghanistan, was produced with the financial support of Danner Afghanistan for Women's Empowerment Organization (DAWEO) with technical support from WAW and the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA). The documentary was shared with the Directorate of Women Protection Centers in the MoWA and approved by ASN members, WPC Coordination Meeting members, and the members of the Committee to uphold the Elimination for Violence Against Women Law. Credit for the production of this great video goes to DAWEO. …
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First Lady of Afghanistan: 2019 Message to WAW
On the occasion of WAW's EXPO 2019: #CelebrateCourage, The First Lady of Afghanistan, Her Excellency Rula Ghani celebrates courage with Women for Afghan Women (WAW) and, once again, extends her support, congratulations, and blessings to WAW's life-saving and life-changing work in Afghanistan. …
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WAW Featured on ATV: Women’s Rights and Islam
WAW Staff are interviewed on Afghan TV (ATV) discussing the importance of WAW's work on human rights, WAW's Women's Rights ARE Human Rights, and how women's rights and equality are enshrined in Islam and in Islamic law. …
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WAW is #ByHerSide in Afghanistan
WAW’s #ByHerSide program in Afghanistan provides access to critically-needed health services including: treatment for survivors of rape or incest (including emergency reconstructive surgeries as needed); treatment for survivors of physical abuse or violence by family or community members; obstetrics and gynecological services for pregnant women (including nutritional supplements to reduce incidences of malnutrition and providing medicines such as pain relievers); and birth and after-birth services in a high-quality medical facility. …
#CelebrateCourage with WAW Kunduz Province Manager: Shamila’s Inspiration
When the position of Kunduz Province Manager was re-instituted by Women for Afghan Women, Shamila—then living in Kabul with her family—decided to apply for the post. Upon her hiring, her parents were understandably apprehensive, but one of her sisters encouraged her. Shamila decided that her love and commitment to Kunduz, her home province, was much stronger than any threat posed by militants. Shamila's Inspiration is all about courage, heart, and giving! …
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