Naheed Farid. Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

"I left all that behind, taking only clothes, my phone and diapers for the baby. As I left, I thought, am I going to see my city, my home again? When the law on ending violence against women was lacking implementation, we asked why, and persisted... When you gain something, you don’t give it up. We will fight for this… you will see.” - Naheed Farid.

As we build momentum for WE Walk: Strides Against Violence to end gender-based violence globally, we spotlight the work of UN Women Afghanistan to provide life-saving services to women survivors of violence, support to women human rights defenders, and to establish Multi-Purpose Women's Centers.

You can support projects like these by joining WE Walk: Strides Against Violence to send funds where they are needed most!
Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in Afghanistan have led gender equality gains, including a constitution that enshrines equality, and legislation to end violence against women. Targeted killings of WHRDs is a distinct pattern of violence. Many are urgently trying to leave the country.
UN Women will work to open political channels for women human rights defenders in governance and policy making, and support human rights monitoring to elevate accountability to the rights of women and girls.

Multi-Purpose Women’s Centers are one-stop hubs that support women's access to information on health and protection, skills development and psychosocial support, established and operated in partnership with local women’s civil society organizations.

In 2021-22, focus will be placed on strengthening protection mechanisms for gender-based violence, and improving economic conditions - from immediate cash-based interventions, to sustainable income linking skills to employment and entrepreneurship. The Centers will provide access to quality education, learning and vocational training.

Support projects like these by joining WE Walk: Strides Against Violence and sending funds where they are needed most!
What Else Can You Do?
As much as donations, what you do and say makes a difference. You are part of a movement to end gender-based violence globally. Today's idea:

Talk to other women, and to men - to destigmatize gender-based violence, and grow the conversation.

Take it out of the shadows. Help your family, your colleagues, your community by talking with them and reinforcing that gender-based violence exists everywhere, and is never the survivor's fault.

Expand conversations. People often think first of Intimate Partner Violence, or Sexual Violence, but ask if they know that gender-based violence also encompasses Femicide, Human Trafficking, Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage and Online and Digital Violence? Moreover, that these occur in the US, as globally, and the root causes include systemic belief in patriarchy, lack of consequences, and economic and legal inequalities for women. These intersecting issues need floodlights shone upon them - be that spotlight!
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