Determined Voices Of Women

 

“The world may be collapsing, but some individuals won’t let that stop them from working for change in its most troubled corners.

International Women’s Day is a good time to spotlight two such individuals: an Afghan activist for women’s rights named Suraya Pakzad and an American businessman, Aldo Magazzeni, who builds water systems in Afghanistan for impoverished villages.  His efforts, undertaken in tandem with Pakzad’s help, make village elders more sympathetic to her work.

Pakzad and Magazzeni run grass-roots outfits that are polar opposites of the huge foreign contractors that filed so badly in Iraq.  At a time when the Taliban is gaining strength, these kinds of organizations need more U.S. support.”

Trudy Rubin “The Press Democrat”  3/11/09

It is so dangerous these days to stand out and support women in Afghanistan.  The Taliban has regained power in many communities.  Women that I know who have been in the forefront of women’s rights in Afghanistan have had life threats.  Their security was short lived.  Take a look at articles and information available on the role and rights of women in Afghanistan.  Send a ray of light or a wish to these women.  Take an action that would support their efforts.  (i.e. Voice of Women Organization or travelingmercies.org)  These groups are new to me but the above article referenced them as being very supportive to women’s rights.  Sometimes we have to step out of our own world, look around and support another.  Many have far less than we ourselves.

Maureen Simon

Comments

[Janina Browarska]

what a wonderful way to take action...thanx for this...Canada has been out in the front lines during this "war with no ending" and we are losing some of our finest young men and women, as are you and other NATO countries. It has often crossed my mind that more peaceful means be implemented as opposed to weapons.
Best regards
Nina