There is a small group of Afghan women whose names—Nasima, Farahnaz, Norwan—show up in my inbox weekly. I’ve never met these women, but I’ve been helping to edit their poems and essays for nearly two years. Founded in 2009 by American journalists and writers, the Afghan Women’s Writing Project (AWWP) mentors Afghan women and publishes their work in an online magazine run by volunteers.

Contemporary Afghan poetry reflects the country’s sociopolitical circumstances. It echoes the anxieties and realities of a postwar society and the ambitions and aspirations of a generation that attempts to follow the world in the midst of a long, violent struggle colored by religious fanaticism and foreign occupation. Verse after verse, the quest for human dignity and long-enduring peace is heartfelt.

AWWP was featured on Inside Art on San Diego’s KSDS 88.3FM, with host Dave Drexler, on February 26, 2012.

Invite a few friends for an evening or an afternoon who might like to share snacks, conversation, and some readings from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project. We will help you with everything from the invitation to simple Afghan recipes to suggested readings. We can also offer a Skype or speakerphone conversation with an AWWP team member in Afghanistan or the U.S. to answer questions and share stories.

Join us for this special Women’s History Month Café Society as we explore the notion that to tell one’s story is a human right with Valerie Wallace, poet and newsletter editor for the Afghan Women’s Writing Project.

AWWP was featured on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Here on Earth: Radio without Borders last week. Host Jean Feraca interviewed Masha Hamilton and Tina Singleton and listeners called in.

Editor’s note: Our writers speak out about their ideas for how Afghanistan, which ranks as one of the world’s most oppressed countries for women, should celebrate International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8.

University of Illinois at Chicago students will read works by AWWP writers as part of the 2012 Women’s Heritage Month.

Know Theatre will produce a special project composed of collections of stories from the Afghan Women’s Writing Project. Know Theatre commissioned playwrights Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin to curate a performance piece from the writings available on the Project website (www.awwproject.org).