Help us Help Afghan Women

In 2024 Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian emergency following the Taliban takeover of the country. The Taliban have placed severe restrictions on all women and girls which are worsening while the global community turns a blind eye.

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/article/2024/aug/26/taliban-bar-on-afghan-women-speaking-in-public-un-afghanistan

Zardozi is a local Afghan NGO working with the poorest families in Afghanistan. We have trained and supported 6,000 women to start up a business – their businesses are often tiny but enough to make the difference between desperate poverty and the possibility of a better life with educated, healthy children. Our volunteers on the ground can provide direct help to the desperate women and their families enduring this humanitarian and human rights disaster. We ensure your donation goes into the hands of the most needy.

https://zardozi.org/

 

We are Celia, Mary and Kerry Jane, Margaret and Anna, the Board members of Zardozi, Markets for Afghan Artisans. Kerry Jane founded Zardozi 16 years ago. We have established an Australian charity, to support the mission of Zardozi.

 

At present, Afghan women and their families are on their knees. Women cannot run their small businesses as they can’t leave the house.

Afghan women are strong and are determined to protect their families and not to go under this tidal wave of repression that has been unleashed over them.

Hundreds of thousands of families in Afghanistan are now struggling to pay for any food for their families. Many thousands have fled their homes to seek safety. The only way these families can eat, send children to school and afford some heating as winter approaches, is if women have an income.

 

Some families are so desperate they need food and they need it now. Others can manage for a little longer if they are just provided the basics like flour. All of them need help to re-skill and find ways to work together so that they can go on earning a living even in these new circumstances.

Our women volunteers are still out there working hard for their Afghan sisters. They are asking for your help. Only a small donation will make an enormous difference to their lives:

$15 buys flour for one month for a family of six

$30 covers the travel expenses of one female community leader seeking out the most desperate and organising support

$50 supports one woman to re-skill, for example she can purchase the materials to restart her business

$70 buys a little heating and blankets for one family for one month

$100 feeds one desperate family for one month

 

Please donate something towards supporting the women of Afghanistan and assist desperate families to survive. Your support will help Afghan women to continue to hold up their heads and know they have value in this world. Funds will be transferred directly to Zardozi staff in Afghanistan, they will transfer small grants to families in need. Zardozi staff will provide regular reports to the Board about use of funds.