Afghan Women Past and Present

Meeting Miss England

Afghan women living in London are culturally isolated and are often prevented from leaving their homes and engaging in outdoor activities. They are new to British society. They have varying levels of education, from those with degrees and high school diplomas to those with primary or no education at all, depending on their circumstances in Afghanistan. They also have children and some are single mothers, whose husbands have either been killed or left behind in Afghanistan, or who are separated. The community also comprises elderly women with no close relatives or with relatives who need help themselves and cannot take care of their elderly family members. Our project will benefit all these groups of women and their families.

Some Afghan women suffer from depression and mental health problems, partly as a result of what happened to them in their home country and the manner of their leaving. Mental health conditions are not recognised in Afghan society and education about how these conditions can be overcome will help women have a better quality of life. As a result of the position of women in Afghan society, there is a huge need for confidence building in Afghan women and young girls so that they can become active and integrated citizens.

The project will provide services for Afghan women with young children, which will enable women to leave their homes, mix and network with other Afghan women and for their children to benefit socially, which will build their confidence and contribute to their success at school.

Afghan women are very hard to reach as they are often prevented from leaving their homes for even the most straightforward everyday activities such as shopping or re-charging their electricity keys.

Articles

• Womens' rights situation in Afghanistan worries AIHRC
• UNICEF warns of continued threat facing women and children
• "The Whole Justice System of Afghanistan is Rotten"
• Women Prisoners in Northern Afghanistan Complain of Bad Conditions and Sexual Abuse
• An Afghan woman was stoned to death for adultery
• Five Aid Workers Shot to Death in an Ambush in Afghanistan
• Malalalai Joya, female MP was physically and verbally attacked in the parliament floor
• Situation of Women and Children in Afghanistan
• Video documentary: Don’t forget the women of Afghanistan