The Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, and the lives of Afghan women and girls are in danger. The U.S. government must ensure Afghan women’s rights advocates don’t get left behind.
We are running out of time to prevent the worst from happening.
This page contains information on how to donate to causes supporting Afghan women, our demands for US government action, and media resources.
Donate
Emergency Fund For Afghan Women & Girls
The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, in partnership with Vital Voices, invites you to donate to a special fund and help us act quickly to provide immediate support to at-risk Afghan women and girls. We are connected to a network of women activists in Afghanistan with whom we have worked for the past two decades. We will channel 100% of your donation directly to our partners to support emergency evacuations, emergency housing and resettlement, visa applications, and other emerging priorities. Your gift is tax deductible.
www.vitalvoices.org/
Advocate for US Government Action
Here are 4 actions the U.S. Government can take today to ensure Afghan women at risk due to their US affiliation can find refuge. You can retweet here.
- Charter direct evacuation flights to the United States for Afghan women activists most imminently under threat. Already, too many have died in Taliban assassination campaigns.
- Direct a significant portion of the $1.125 billion appropriated for Afghan refugees in the Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act passed on July 30 to ensure the P2 program is strongly implemented and functional. This should include some of the $100 million that President Biden authorized for “persons at risk as a result of the situation in Afghanistan,” for livelihood assistance for women activists who manage to relocate.
- Establish a special parole program for at-risk Afghan women human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, and women politicians, journalists, and other highly visible women leaders being targeted by the Taliban based on their refusal to conform to Taliban-dictated gender norms.
- Immediately establish a high-level Interagency Refugee Coordinator to manage refugee processing and relocation across the U.S. government.
Media
(August 13, 2021) “Opinion: Here are four concrete actions the U.S. should take immediately to help Afghan women activists” co-authored by Melanne Verveer, executive director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and Tanya Henderson, founder and executive director of Mina’s List.
(August 16, 2021) “What Women’s Advocacy Groups Worldwide Are Doing For Women In Afghanistan“
(August 16, 2021) “Helping Afghan Women and Girls”
(August 16, 2021) “Guerrillas in their Midst“
Media Contact
Sarah Rutherford, Communications Director
sdr56@georgetown.edu or 412 965 9275
This page was updated on August 20, 2021.