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PRESS RELEASE: An Interactive Event and Exhibit Honoring the Resilience of Afghan Women Peacebuilders
PRESS RELEASE: An Interactive Event and Exhibit Honoring the Resilience of Afghan Women Peacebuilders
05 March 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2025
Watan e Ma – وطن ما – Our Homeland: An Interactive Event and Exhibit Honoring the Resilience of Afghan Women Peacebuilders
NEW YORK, NY – The International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) is proud to present Watan e Ma – وطن ما – Our Homeland, an immersive event and exhibition dedicated to honoring the resilience, courage, and unwavering defiance of Afghan women peacebuilders. The event will take place on March 17, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Blue Gallery in New York City.
Coinciding with Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebrating renewal and hope—a tradition currently banned from public celebration in Afghanistan—this event is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Afghan women who continue their unyielding pursuit of peace, freedom, and equality. The exhibit will feature the work of 17 women artists, artisans, photographers, and filmmakers from both inside Afghanistan and the diaspora, along with performances by an Afghan poetess and Rabab players. The legacy and current impact of 22 Afghan women-led peacebuilding organizations and community organizers will be showcased. This event serves as a poignant reminder of Afghanistan’s deep cultural roots, where coexistence and pluralism have long been central values and where women have historically played vital roles in society.
“Standing in solidarity with Afghan women is a strategic investment in peace and resilience. Their efforts––despite the threats––their courage, and vision can ensure that Afghanistan’s future is not defined by extremists but is pluralistic and rooted in peace and dignity for all.” - Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE
This event is a call to action: Let us honor their courage, invest in their vision, and ensure that Afghan women’s voices shape the future of their homeland.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Art Exhibit: Featuring works by Afghan and allied artists, showcasing stories of struggle, resilience, and hope.
Teach-ins: Engaging discussions with Afghan women peacebuilders sharing their firsthand experiences and insights.
Film Screenings & Discussions: A curated selection of short films by Afghan and allied filmmakers.
Performances: Poetry readings and live performances by Afghan artists, including traditional rabab musicians.
Iftar Reception & Dinner: A communal gathering to break bread and foster connections.
Networking: Opportunities to engage with activists, scholars, and allies committed to Afghan women’s rights.
Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to experience a multi-sensory journey through Afghan culture, history, and the ongoing resistance of its women.
EVENT DETAILS:
WHAT: Watan e Ma – وطن ما – Our Homeland: Honoring the Resilience of Afghan Women Peacebuilders WHO: Peacebuilders – Beheshta Ahmadi (Afghanistan), Jamila Afghani (Afghanistan), Mary Akrami (Afghanistan), Farahnaz Forotan (Afghanistan), Wazhma Frogh (Afghanistan), Asad Haidari (Afghanistan), Roshan Mashal (Afghanistan), Nargis Nehan (Afghanistan), Hassina Nikzad (Afghanistan), Zarqa Yaftali (Afghanistan), Wida Yalaqi (Afghanistan), Negina Yari (Afghanistan), Wida Yalaqi (Afghanistan), Behishta Amiri (Afghanistan), Fereshta Fazli (Afghanistan), Sofia Nadri (Afghanistan) Visual Artists – Aria Ansari (Afghanistan), Faiza Hassanyar (Afghanistan), Roya Heydari (Afghanistan), Heela Hidai (Afghanistan), Fatimah Hossaini (Afghanistan), Halima Sediqy (Afghanistan) Filmmakers – Kaaj, Tag Film, Een van de jongens Poetry – Shafiqa Khpalwak (Afghanistan) Live music – Mehrnam Rastegari, vocalist (Afghanistan), Quraishi Roya, Afghan Rabab player (Afghanistan) and Sahil Handa (Afghanistan) Organizer – International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) Partners – Afghan Capacity Development and Educational Organization (ACDEO), Afghan Women’s Network (AWN) – Afghanistan, Afghan Women’s Network International (AWNI), Afghan Women News Agency Organization (AWNAO), Afghan Women’s Organization for Equality, Afghan Women Skills Development Center (AWSDC), Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT), Farageer, Kaaj, New Development and Relief Organization (NDRO), Wellness Prosperity and Socio-Empowerment Organization (WPSO), WILPF Afghanistan, Window for Hope, Women for Peace and Participation (WPP), Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF), Royina Behmanesh, Elham Mahmoodi, Khatera Anwari, Karima Rahimyar, Fariba Sadiqi, Karima Jamshidi Graphic designer – Diana Zhdanova Producers – Kathryn Syssoyeva and Jeremy Goren, AnomalousCo Collaborators – Artists at Risk Connection, Mina’s List, OMCT, We the Women Supporter – United Kingdom International Development
WHEN: March 17, 2025 | 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM Doors open: 3:00 Opening ceremony: 3:30 – 3:45 Teach-ins with women peacebuilders: 3:45 – 4:30 Teach-ins with women peacebuilders: 4:45 – 5:30 Film screenings and discussion: 5:45 – 6:15 Poetry reading: 6:30 – 6:45 Iftar dinner reception: 7:00 – 8:00 Music performance: 8:00 – 9:00 The art exhibit, short films screening, live music, poetry readings, and networking activities will continue throughout the event.
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We are a coalition of NGOs, academics, activists, women’s rights defenders, journalists, artists, filmmakers and peacebuilders. We are working to get our Afghan colleagues and families, who are under direct threat from the Taliban, to safety. They have worked to bring peace to Afghanistan over the last 20 years, have fought for the rights of all Afghans, and especially women, girls and minority groups in direct opposition to the Taliban. They now come to us for help because nobody came for them.
The February 1st military coup in Myanmar brutally crushed dissent, and the crackdowns and killings continue. In May another resurgence of violence in Palestine and Israel brought renewed attention to this 54-year conflict. How do social activists survive and thrive when the tanks roll in, the bombs drop, the raids and the arbitrary arrests begin? These, among other questions, were discussed on June 29th at the fifth session of the Coming of Age of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda series, entitled ‘Survival and Activism under Occupation’, focusing on Myanmar and Palestine.
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As the Coronavirus pandemic sweeps across conflict affected and fragile states, women-led peacebuilding organizations have been the first responders in their communities and among the most marginalized sectors of society. They were the first to call for ceasefires and support the UN Secretary General call for global ceasefires. They have been providing food rations and […]
