Women, Human Rights and Afghanistan: The Struggle Continues

PASADENA - Tahmeena Faryal and Dr. Anne Brodsky will appear at Caltech in an event hosted by the Social Activism Speaker Series (SASS). Ms. Faryal is a leading spokesperson for the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), an organization that Dr. Brodsky has worked closely with for several years. Both will discuss the grim situation in Afghanistan, and in particular the continuing difficulties faced by Afghan women. They will also offer insight on the connection between Afghanistan and the war in Iraq. This event will take place at 8pm on April 8th in Baxter Lecture Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Due to security concerns, no cameras will be allowed in the lecture hall.

Even as the first bombs began falling on Baghdad, the US began Operation Valiant Strike in Afghanistan, the largest operation there in a year. While many in the Bush administration are lauding the campaign in Afghanistan as a model of success for Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan remains grim. Despite the promises to liberate Afghans, particularly Afghan women, Afghanistan remains highly unstable with warlords, private armies, a return to fundamentalism, and a weak US-backed puppet in power. Much of the promised humanitarian aid has also fallen seriously short. Women's rights in Afghanistan continue to be a serious issue, despite claims by the Bush administration that women have been freed.

In addition to these on going issues, Afghanistan offers valuable lessons about the war in Iraq and the difficult challenges that will face occupation and reconstruction efforts there.

Afghan Women's Mission (AWM), a US based organization working in solidarity with RAWA, is organizing a tour for Tahmeena Faryal to help raise awareness of Afghanistan. Tahmeena Faryal has spoken out on behalf of Afghan women all over the United States and the world. In October 2001, she testified before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on International Relations and Human Rights. She has appeared on Larry King Live and CNN and has featured in articles in the New York Times, the LA Times, and many other US and global publications.

Dr. Anne Brodsky is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her research focuses on women and their roles in communities facing hardships such as violence, poverty and oppression. She has worked with RAWA for several years and is author of the book, "With All Our Strength: The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan."

CONTACT:

Sonali Kolhatkar (626) 676-7884