We believe the right to tell one’s story is a human right.
The volunteer-based AWWP empowers oft-silenced Afghan women to share their voices with the world.
Your support helps Afghan women tell their stories through our online and on-the-ground workshops. Above, a writer in Kabul begins to write on the theme “Who Am I?”
Issue 27
October 2011
Greetings!
Who are the writers of the Afghan Women’s Writing Project? They are rural and urban, college graduates and those who were forced to leave school when they were children; they are married and unmarried, working outside the home and some who never leave home. One of our writers became a member of parliament and is still active with the organization. Others have received scholarships to travel to other countries.
The writers of AWWP find us largely through word of mouth and through our liaisons on the ground in Afghanistan. The writing often happens in secret. Most of our workshops are online. And sometimes a few writers are able to meet each other at a secure location, for support and an in-person workshop.
Donate to AWWP and support our work to empower Afghan women.Your contribution will make a real difference and help us supply laptops and flashdrive internet, open new workshop opportunities beyond Kabul and Herat Province, and expand the oral stories project.
“What does AWWP mean to me? That Afghan women can share their opinions freely on the project, that now no one can prohibit them from sharing their ideas with the world. In the past, Afghan women didn’t even have the right to speak with a strange man. This project supports Afghan women by showing they are as important as other women in the world.” ~Sabira
Writers rest after coming to a safe “Writers Hut” for a workshop.
You can make a donation via our secure online payment facility.As little as $10.00 will support our work to provide sanctuary for women to write. Whatever amount you decide to donate, rest assured that your money will be put to good use.
And as always, please remember to share your comments with the writers, on our website. Many write in secret and some walk miles to send us their work. Your encouragement for their words and acts helps them know they are not writing in isolation.
Thank you.
from “The Marriage Court”
Editor’s note: This is a true story witnessed by our writer this past summer. The names have been changed to protect the couple’s privacy.
…Zarin thinks of her aunt, just now, yelling at her for leaving her home and harming the family’s honor. Ahmad assures her nobody can take her away and the court will solve the matter in their favor….
Before the greenhouses were established, the people were obliged to sow poppy. During the poppy cultivation, Fazela’s oldest son was affected by the poppy crop. She lost him, so she was very eager to change from poppy growing to vegetables.
Consider bringing the voices of our writers to your school, local bookstore, or cultural arts venue, through a public performance.
AWWP Presents is a resource for performances of our writers’ work for venues ranging from theater houses to living rooms.
Security Notice
The security situation can be difficult for many women in Afghanistan, especially those who are determined to further their education or those who frankly tell their stories. Out of concern for their safety, AWWP will not use family names or specific locators.
The right to tell one’s story is a human right.
With gratitude for sharing in our commitment to bring forward the voices and stories
If you would like information on the project, or how to donate money, time, computer resources, or any kind of technical/business expertise that might help promote and strengthen The Afghan Women’s Writing Project’saims and goals, then please contact us at:
