17 year old Bebe was what many would call an average Afghan teen: she was forced into courtship at age 11, as compensation for an unidentified crime her father committed. This transaction, commonly practiced in Afghanistan, is known as a “baad”. Girls given away in such situations are often treated as poorly as slaves—Bebe was forced to sleep in a stable with her husband’s farm animals. After years of atrocious treatment, Bebe attempted an escape. Unfortunately, her husband discovered her in the act; consequently, he severed her nose and both ears, leaving her alone to die. But Bebe fought for her life; blood deluged from her face so rapidly she could not see. She crawled across desert sands in search for help. But, after hours of agonizing pain, Bebe landed in a U.S. military base hospital. Frantically, they operated on the young woman, stitching the gaping holes and praying she had not lost too much blood. Miraculously, Bebe pulled through, and after months of surgery was able to be discharged. The question was where was Bebe to go? She had shamed her family, and was presumed dead. The question loomed upon the shoulders of her caregivers.
However, US troops were able to contact Women for Afghan Women— a human rights organization that helps Afghan men, women, and children who are in need. WAW was able to take Bebe into one of their domestic shelters throughout the Middle East, and suddenly Bebe had found not only a safe place to stay, but she had found strength, love and hope. WAW has managed to help hundreds of Afghans in Bebe’s situation; through heaps of support and charitable donations, the organization has begun the long, trudging process to equality and civility.

“That’s absolutely incredible,” said Junior Hannah Borkowski. “This girl is just a few years older than me. I mean I literally can’t imagine what she’s been through. I don’t understand how conditions get that bad.”

Bebe is among the 90% of Afghan Women who are in dire, abusive situations—women are commonly subject to brutality as a form of punishment; many WAW shelter residents are bruised, burned, scarred, and wounded from domestic violence. Additionally, women have virtually no human rights. They are not allowed to attend school, leave their homes without male escorts, speak in public, or even have health care. Women are forced to wear “burgas”, or full head-to-toe covering, and if the attire is not properly worn, women can be beaten or killed.

WAW, founded in 2001, recognized these atrocities. Mezza (to protect identities, many WAW members are known by one name) founded the organization in the heart of the Bronx, NY. Since its establishment, WAW has raised money to fund several schools, shelters, and guidance centers throughout Afghanistan. In addition, they have opened a community center in Queens, NY so immigrant women can learn english as a second language. The center also informs women of their rights, so they can be educated about domestic violence, and detect rather than submit to such rights violations. The center is fully staffed with social workers, case lawyers, and attorneys who help each client achieve justice.
“Women have more access to school and there are women in parliament,” said Rebick, WAW advocate. “The level of violence against women is much higher and the unpredictability of it is much worse,”.

WAW has also founded an Afghan Women’s Fund—a charity which raises money and then funds projects swept through Afghanistan for women literacy, independence and empowerment; so far, 8 schools have been built for the cause.

Throughout the years, women have fought for their suffrage, integrity and equality. Even after decades of progress and success, there are still women in distress. As Women for Afghan Women fight for change, nonmembers can also help—by making donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness, anyone can make the difference to change women conditions.

“That’s a great cause,” Exchange student Hedda Oeversjoeen said. “I hope they are able to help all of the women who are suffering. It’s hard to imagine what these women are living like because that’s how the U.S. was in the ‘20s. Times have changed so much, but for Afghanistan they’re still in a transition. Time helps but it is the people who truly aid the situation.”