OTTAWA, ONTARIO
MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024
EDITORIAL 2025
IMMACULATA'S STUDENT RUN NON-PROFIT NEWSPAPER. SINCE 2022
VOLUME 1
Be the Change you Wish to See: Ways you can help Women and Girls in Afghanistan
PLUTO UDECHUKWU | 18:34 , JULY 26,1975
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As you are reading this article, Girls and women in Afghanistan are at a continued dangerous risk of losing their fundamental human rights ever since the invasion of the Taliban. A publication from “Save the children” reports that 46% of girls are not attending school compared to 20% of boys.
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If you are affected by this crisis, whether it may be directly, through a loved one or the anxious feeling of sympathy while watching the news, although it may feel like it, you are not alone.
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Here are some things you can do to support and help the women in Afghanistan:
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Be a spokesperson: Enlighten those around you on this topic and challenge those who have different views on the topic, read articles with friends and family and share information on the issue. more than 1 in 20 girls had been asked to marry in order to support their family. The main drivers of this increased risk of child marriage are poverty, loss of livelihood, and reduced options for girls who can no longer attend school. Despite continued attempts to restrict their rights, girls and women have also shown their resilience and determination to access education and employment.
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2. Write to your local government representative about your concerns for the rights of Afghan girls and women: In your letter, ask them to be accepting and inclusive of refugees leaving their countries You can ask your government to stop any forced returns of Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan during this dangerous and uncertain time. If you are intrested in writing a letter, click HERE
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3. Donate to organizations: Funds are urgently needed to protect Afghan people and ensure their safety. If you are currently unable to donate, volunteering your time to those organizations is just as helpful. Here are some organizations working directly with girls and women in Afghanistan:
You don't have to 'solve' the crisis in Afghanistan in order to center, uplift, and provide resources to help the women living there. Seeking to know and understand them would be an important first step. Together, we can make a difference when we stand in solidarity with the Afghan people and support the rights of girls and women.
