In response to the crisis in Afghanistan, IANGEL created the BRIDGE project [Building Real Interactions to Drive Gender Equality] to build connections with Afghan women lawyers inside the country and provide a platform of professional, economic, and emotional support. To mark August 15, 2024, the grim third anniversary of Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, our BRIDGE project manager provided this comment:
“In the week when the Taliban took over, I was on the verge of qualifying to be a lawyer. However, because of the Taliban and their oppressive rules, I couldn’t get my license and legal documents to practice as a lawyer. Later, they banned female lawyers from practicing law. I was one of the very direct victims of the Taliban’s repressions. As someone who wished to bring justice to my society, seeing all those injustices and crimes against oppressed women and girls in my country was breaking my heart. And I was so sad and disappointed.
However, meeting dear Nancy and the amazing people at IANGEL, and knowing their passion for building a bridge between female lawyers in the US and Afghanistan, it warmed my heart and gave me hope. Hope that there are still people who really care about us. It has been a great opportunity to work as the project manager of the BRIDGE Project, and to be in a position where I can manage things and connect female lawyers in Afghanistan to lawyers outside of Afghanistan. I have been amazed by the dedication of IANGEL for providing support for every aspect of female lawyers in Afghanistan living under the Taliban’s rules. I’m super excited and honoured to be a part of this great effort.
I hope and pray that we can carry on this amazing work.
— Mina Ahmad [a pseudonym], Afghan legal scholar
IANGEL is proud to work with Mina in the BRIDGE project, and proud to be part of the resistance, working with and supporting Afghan women lawyers and teachers in underground schools, and amplifying their voices. Please join us.
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