As the crisis in Afghanistan escalates, women and girls are increasingly under attack. There has never been a more critical time to act. Taliban forces are sweeping across the country and have already seized control of Kandahar, Herat and the capital, Kabul. Women are seeking emergency assistance and shelter — they are terrorized and fleeing for their lives.
With the withdrawal of U.S. and international forces from Afghanistan, women human rights defenders, civil society leaders, journalists, and parliamentarians are in even more vulnerable and dangerous positions as they are direct targets of the Taliban’s campaign and hit lists. Vital Voices has been supporting women leaders across Afghanistan for more than two decades. We cannot let all the gains they have fought for be reversed.
We are ramping up our efforts to support Afghan women and we need your help. We have expanded our Voices Against Violence Initiative and Urgent Assistance Fund to get immediate support out to women activists in Afghanistan on the frontlines of change and to ensure that survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful practices have better access to services, protection and the justice they deserve.
These early days are critical. Please join us today by giving to a special fund and help us act quickly to support Afghan Women and Girls.