A Voice For the Voiceless

MISSION

The Advocacy Project seeks to help community-based advocates produce, disseminate and use information, and so become more effective advocates for human rights and social justice

Afghan Women’s Network Deplores Murder of Prominent Women’s Advocate and Expresses Resolve, October 1, 2006

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AdvocacyNet
News Bulletin 80, October 1, 2006
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Kabul, Afghanistan: The Afghan Women’s Network, a partner of The Advocacy Project, has issued the following statement following the recent assassination of Safia Amajan:
 
It is with deep sorrow, and enduring condemnation, that the women of Afghanistan mourn the loss of Mrs. Safia Amajan, assassinated by the Taliban en route to work on the morning of September 25, 2006. We offer our condolences to her respected family, community and province during this time of senseless grief.

Mrs. Amajan, a 65-year-old mother of four, spent the entirety of her life devoted to the empowerment and advancement of the men, women and children of Afghanistan. Her unyielding commitment to education and her belief in public service led her to spend her life as an advocate and activist for women’s rights. After the fall of the Taliban Safia was elected by the people of Kandahar to serve as the provincial women’s representative to the government, a position she held with conviction and integrity despite the grave and dangerous conditions in Kandahar.   

The Afghan Women’s Network and the Women’s Political Participation Committee denounce this brutal, un-Islamic act yet we stand strong in our fight for the safety, security and empowerment of all Afghan women. The murder or intimidation of our courageous leaders will not stop us in our struggle to promote and protect women’s rights in Afghanistan. We will remain focused and driven until our vision of democracy, freedom, equity and liberation is a reality in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

We ask the people of Afghanistan, and our brothers and sisters around the world, to channel their sorrow and anger into a renewed and binding commitment to achieve the dreams of Safia Amajan and the many other martyrs who lost their lives in the fight for human and women’s rights.

We ask the people of Afghanistan, and our brothers and sisters around the world, for their solidarity and support in showing the world that Afghan women believe in peace, demand protection and are willing to fight for the security of their country and families.

• The Afghan Women’s Network, in conjunction with other NGOs, will hold a memorial ceremony to honor the life of Safia Amajan. For more information, contact AWN 
• Visit the AWN website