This year in my Women’s Studies class, I learned more about the situation women and girls are facing in Afghanistan under Taliban rule – girls like me can’t get an education or go out alone or even sing out loud. I knew I wanted to do something to raise awareness about their lives and when I learned about a campaign that Avaaz.org was launching, I knew I wanted to raise funds.
Avaaz is trying to help at least 50 women immediately escape the Taliban. They are mothers, sisters and daughters who bravely resisted and protested against one of the world’s most brutal regimes.
When these women dared to speak out, they were beaten and hunted. They fled to Pakistan with their families. But now, they’re about to be sent back — and the Taliban are waiting.
The women face being imprisoned, tortured or raped. For many, deportation is a death sentence.
This is a fundraiser to help them escape. Avaaz is close to securing expedited visas for those most in danger, but they need funding for the actual relocations.
I baked hundreds and hundreds of cookies that I sold on Main Street in Beacon and at the Farmer’s Market, and have already raised almost $2000. I would love to raise $5000, to try to help as many of these women as possible.
Your donation is an urgent lifeline. Please give what you can now.
You can read more and see where the funds are going directly: https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/stand_with_afghan_women_loc/
