Former Afghan Women’s Minster Ms Hasina Safi was delighted to accept Honorary Membership of Weybridge & District Soroptimist Club yesterday. We have been so moved to hear from her first hand at recent meetings about the situation in country and her knowledge of women’s issues following Taliban rule. Hasina a refugee in our region brings in depth knowledge of the history of women’s rights in the troubled region. As a child refugee herself fleeing to Pakistan with her parents only to return as the Russians left, she now finds herself again displaced and working for women’s human rights and peace from another country, Britain. Hasina and the many refugees who arrived in Britain in 2021 and since experience and continue to have trauma associated with the sudden change in situation and liberties arising from Taliban rule, the daily knowledge of suffering back ‘home’ and the consequences of huge oppression of women and girls in country.
We are truly fortunate to have her first hand information of the suffering and discrimination women especially widows and older females face in country. We have a really direct understanding of the challenges we can help address as soroptimists around the world. Hasina’s story is well described by an American Military author who bravely assisted her family in their dangerous passage out of Afghanistan. With fear of aid being misused there is no better time for soroptimists to step up and ‘walk and talk’ to ministers and support bespoke charities to ensure support and aid is continued otherwise fear loss of a whole generation of bright strong young people through hunger, oppression and food poverty.
