New Year’s Wishes for Afghanistan

The Taliban’s gender apartheid system has worsened the crisis of violence and degradation for Afghan women, while eliminating critical resources for support. By banning women from practicing law, and silencing their voices, the Taliban has created a crisis of poverty, despair, and injustice. In response, IANGEL developed the BRIDGE project—Building Real Interactions to Drive Gender Equality—to provide a bridge of connection and support for Afghan women lawyers, to sustain and empower them in this crisis. We meet monthly with women lawyers inside Afghanistan in Kabul, Herat, and Laghman, to create an international network to provide critical financial support, a source of connection, mentoring and training, and to facilitate their engagement in supporting women experiencing gender-based violence in their communities. Our virtual meetings feature speakers on topics of interest concerning women’s rights and legal issues to engage them, and we provide a platform for them to present to each other to keep their skills sharp. Our BRIDGE Project Manager, Mina, is a lawyer, educator, journalist and activist. She is passionate about upholding human rights for women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly access to education. She is a key part of our BRIDGE Project team, as well as an inspiring activist and gender justice warrior. Listen to this special New Year’s message from Mina, and what she wishes for her country in the new year: