Women for Afghan Women Press Release
13 November, 2001
Press Contacts:
Fahima Danishgar (212) 817-8225; fdanishgar@hotmail.com
Sunita Mehta (212) 260-4446, sunitabmehta@aol.com
Women for Afghan Women, the first grassroots organization in New York City dedicated to the rights of Afghan women, is pleased to announce its debut event:
A two-day conference prioritizing the voices of Afghan women leaders in finding just and meaningful solutions for their nation and the world.
Thursday, November 29
Friday, November 30, 2001
New York City
The conference will trace the history of women's rights and roles in Afghanistan through the past thirty years, examine the current crisis in governance and human rights in Afghanistan, and bring together key voices to put forward realistic and visionary solutions for post-war Afghanistan.
As the Taliban is ousted from Kabul and the Northern Alliance claims restoration of women's rights in that city, it is more crucial than ever that Afghan women leaders are leaders and participants in the reconstruction of their nation. There can be no just and meaningful solutions without Afghan women at the very core of planning and action, and hence the timeliness of the conference.
Panelists will include Afghan women leaders, leaders of the American women's movement, Muslim women leaders from various countries, and leaders within the United Nations.
The conference will be held November 29 and 30 at Proschansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue (between 34th and 35th Streets) in New York City. The conference, which is free of charge, has been made possible by discretionary grants from The Sister Fund, the North Star Fund, and the Global Fund for Women, and is co-sponsored by the Women's Studies Certificate Program at the CUNY Graduate Center.
About WAW
Women for Afghan Women (WAW), founded in April, 2001, is a new collective of Afghan and non-Afghan women in the New York area who are committed to the human rights of Afghan women. WAW seeks to bring greater awareness to the issues of Afghanistan and Afghan women, and promote the agency of Afghan women in issues that impact their lives.
Press Briefing
Thursday, November 29, 10:00 am; Graduate Center/CUNY Room C201 Members of the press are invited to a special press briefing during which selected panelists and organizers will be available to answer questions. Please RSVP to Fahima Danishgar if you are planning to attend.
Overview of the Conference
Conference agenda updates can be found at http://www.womenforafghanwomen.org
Conference Agenda
Thursday, November 29, 2001
10:00 - 11:00 Press Briefing
12:00 opening by Fahima Danishgar
12:30 Keynote Address: Sima Wali, Refugee Women in Development (RefWID)
1:00-3:00 Panel 1 The History of the Current Crisis Speakers: Sister Sanna Nadin, Egyptian spiritual leader, Koranic Scholar Sima Wali, Refugee Women in Development (RefWID) Liz Gould and Paul Fitzgerald, Journalists and Authors, "Afghanistan: End of Illusion" and Directors of "Afghanistan Between Three Worlds" Dr. Arlene J. Lederman, Specialist in Arts of Afghanistan, Fullbright Scholar in Afghanistan Moderator: Homaira Mamoor, WAW
3:00-3:30 Q&A
3:30-4:00 Presentation about Ramadan
4:00-5:00 Break and Iftar
5:00-6:00 Panel 2: The Role of the US Women's Movement Dr. Riffat Hassan, University of Kentucky, Feminist Theologian Gloria Steinem, Founder, Ms. Magazine Eleanor Smeal, Feminist Majority Foundation Moderator: Sunita Mehta, WAW
6:00-6:30 Q&A
6:30-7:00 Closing
Friday, November 30, 2001
9:00-11:00 Panel 3: Human Rights Today Flouran Wali, Doctors of the World, Human Rights Clinic, San Diego Fahima Vorgetts, Afghan woman activist, fundraiser and businesswoman Farida Azizi, Afghan peace activist Irena Lieberman, Tahirih Justice Center Zohra Rasekh, Global Watch Group Moderator: Masuda Sultan, YAWA and WAW
11:00-11:30 Q&A
11:30-12:00 Break
12:00-1:00 Panel 4: Peace, State-Building, A Seat at the Table Angela King, Assistant Attorney-General, Special Advisor on Gender to the UN Sara Amiryar, Georgetown University Moderator: Laura Reanda, WAW
1:00-2:00 Muslim Prayers with Imam and lunch break for people not fasting: Asian American Writers Workshop 16 West 32nd Street Suite 10A (Between 5th Avenue and Broadway) New York, NY 10001
2:00-3:00 Panel 4 continued Noeleen Heyzer, UNIFEM (not confirmed) Rina Amiri, Harvard University Moderator: Fahima Danishgar, WAW
3:00-3:30 Q&A
3:30-4:00 Short video montage on WAW and closing. Preview of the film "Kandahar".
[updated 11/21/01]
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