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Known as the “most famous woman in Afghanistan,” dissident parliamentarian Malalai Joya returns to the US, this time to share her new political memoir, A Woman Among Warlords: The Extraordinary Story of an Afghan Who Dared to Raise Her Voice, co-written with Derrick O’Keefe.

Listen to Malalai Joya on NPR’s Talk of the Nation.

“Perhaps the most remarkable feature of this inspiring memoir is that despite the horrors she relates, Malalai Joya leaves us with hope that the tormented people of Afghanistan can take their fate into their own hands if they are released from the grip of foreign powers, and that they can reconstruct a decent society from the wreckage left by decades of intervention and the merciless rule of the Taliban and the warlords who the invaders have imposed upon them. It is hard to find words to capture the incredible courage of this amazing young woman, and of the supporters who have gathered to protect her and carry on her work, particularly the many women ‘protesting with empty hands,’ evidence that ‘we are not only victims, and that women have the power to make changes in their lives and their country.’ She also shows how we can provide a helping hand — not with landmines, bullets, and bombs, but with ‘an invasion of hospitals, clinics and schools for boys and girls.’ Joya is raising an eloquent voice, and we owe to her, and to her people, to listen carefully, to learn, and to act.” – Noam Chomsky Continue reading →

Afghan Women’s Mission is pleased to announce a nation-wide tour of Zoya, a member of RAWA in October 2009, exactly 8 years after the start of the US war. Zoya will share the message of RAWA in New York, Washington DC, Boston, Iowa, Los Angeles, Berkeley, and San Francisco.

Bay-area based artist Doug Minkler, has created a special commemorative poster for the tour, shown at right.

Please email us at info@afghanwomensmission.org to organize an event in your community or to co-sponsor an event.

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Statement by Sonali Kolhatkar, Co-Director of Afghan Women’s Mission

Recently prominent liberal voices in the United States have expressed the view that the US war in Afghanistan is being waged to help secure the rights of Afghan women. The Feminist Majority, a prominent women’s organization in the US responded today to my critique of their pro-war position, co-authored with Mariam Rawi, a member of RAWA. Continue reading →

Rethink Afghanistan is a ground-breaking documentary by Brave New Films, that focuses on the what is really happening in Afghanistan as a result of US policy.

Part 5 of the film, just released online, explores the often-touted “liberation” of Afghan women and war’s disproportionate toll on women and their families. A member of RAWA was interviewed for this film, alongside Afghan Women’s Mission Co-Director Sonali Kolhatkar and many women’s rights advocates. Parts 1-4 can be viewed at www.rethinkafghanistan.com.

Brave New Films has partnered with RAWA to provide direct aid to refugee families displaced by the war. Earlier efforts helped raise $6,000 for emergency aid. $9000 more is needed. Please watch this short film and make a donation to RAWA to help them provide basic necessities to the refugees.

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As an elected representative for Farah, Afghanistan, I add my voice to those condemning the NATO bombing that claimed over 150 civilian lives in my province earlier this month. This latest massacre offers the world a glimpse of the horrors faced by our people.
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As US bombs rained down on Afghanistan in October 2001, interfaith voices called for “justice, not vengeance” and insisted that ‘religious communities must stop blessing war and violence’. Now, with additional US troops on their way to that war-ravaged country, it’s again time to speak out and to act. As we continue to insist on the complete withdrawal of US military forces from Iraq, we must do the same with respect to Afghanistan. We must urgently take action while preparing to carry out a long-term struggle to dismantle the war system. Let us begin to create a culture of peace, based on social and economic justice, that will bring our world at last into one Beloved Community. Continue reading →