Nest is working to sponsor women activists from Afghanistan and Sudan, who were forced to flee their homes due to their work for women’s equality.

Nest is sponsoring Maryam, her spouse and two small children. Maryam (pictured here) is an Afghan journalist specializing in gender and human rights. She also is a member of the persecuted Hazara minority. When the Taliban took power on August 15, they occupied the government office where she was teaching a class on gender rights. Maryam was forced into hiding. “Everything I worked for and dreamed for. . .ended,” she writes. “There will be no space for gender work in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. My own life is now at risk.”  

The BBC’s Lyse Doucet wrote a story about women in Afghanistan in September and that’s how Maryam came to Nest’s attention.

Nest also sponsored Afghan women’s activist and human rights champion Maria Reha and her two adult sons who were forced to flee Afghanistan in late August. Maria, who worked for the UN, Oxfam, UNESCO and other international organizations for the last 20 years, arrived safely in Saskatoon on May 14.  Thanks to the Mennonite Central Committee of Saskatoon for arranging the sponsorship and to everyone who donated to make it happen! 

Nest is sponsoring Afghan activists Zainab and Abeda, who worked in a government office in Afghanistan committed to reconciliation. When the Taliban took control in August, their office was closed.  “I am in a life-threatening situation because I am a women’s activist, who criticized Shariah Law before the Taliban takeover,” says Zainab. 

Abeda also worries about her safety. The Taliban are looking for her. Once she finds asylum, Abeda says she can “eat grass and sleep on the footpaths, but I have to escape this life threatening situation here.” Both women are members of the Hazara ethnic minority. Thanks to all the people who donated to support their sponsorship.

 

Want to help bring these women activists to Saskatoon? 

1. Mail your cheque payable to Nest Saskatoon to: Nest Treasurer, 37 Phillips Cres, Saskatoon, S7H 3M9. Please include your mailing address so we can send you a charitable tax receipt. Tell us which activists you want to support!

2. E-transfer your donation. Send your donation to: nesttreasurer2@gmail.com along with your mailing address so we can send your charitable tax receipt.