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Nobel nominee to speak on plight of Afghan women
3/7/05
By MELISSA EVANS
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
She has been attacked and imprisoned, but Suraya Parlika has been undeterred in her efforts to change the way women are treated in Afghanistan.
The Nobel Peace Prize nominee, who spoke at the 49th session of the Commission on the Status of Women this week, will visit Santa Barbara later this month to bring attention to her cause.
Her connection here stems from a friendship with Santa Barbara resident Diana Haskins, who started an organization to raise money for orphans and others in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Ms. Haskins also attended the commission's meeting this week in New York. The meetings are held annually to discuss women's rights.
The two women told the commission about their respective organizations -- Ms. Haskins founded Afghan Academy of Hope, which supports orphanages and education in Afghanistan, and Ms. Parlika's All Afghan Women's Union formed to fight violence against women.
The country was especially oppressive toward women during the years of the Taliban regime. Women weren't allowed to leave their homes unescorted, much less get an education.
Ms. Parlika, however, earned her master's degree in economics, and she was elected head of an organization called the Democratic Organization of Afghan Women. She was imprisoned and tortured as a result of her activism.
When the United States ousted the Taliban rulers, she was elected to help form Afghanistan's constitution, and this year she plans to run for the senate there. She was nominated this year for the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work.
"She is an amazing person," said Ms. Haskins, who met Ms. Parlika on her trips to the country.
The two women toured Ground Zero in New York City on their visit this week.
"It was really emotional to be there with her, especially since 9/11 is what brought my attention to the country," Ms. Haskins said.
Shortly after the attacks, Ms. Haskins saw a news program about the plight of Afghan women and decided to help. She and others have raised thousands of dollars to provide meals, blankets and school supplies to orphans.
Ms. Parlika will talk March 26 at San Marcos High School; the time has not been finalized.
For more information, visit www.aaoh.org.
The Nobel Peace Prize nominee, who spoke at the 49th session of the Commission on the Status of Women this week, will visit Santa Barbara later this month to bring attention to her cause.
Her connection here stems from a friendship with Santa Barbara resident Diana Haskins, who started an organization to raise money for orphans and others in Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Ms. Haskins also attended the commission's meeting this week in New York. The meetings are held annually to discuss women's rights.
The two women told the commission about their respective organizations -- Ms. Haskins founded Afghan Academy of Hope, which supports orphanages and education in Afghanistan, and Ms. Parlika's All Afghan Women's Union formed to fight violence against women.
The country was especially oppressive toward women during the years of the Taliban regime. Women weren't allowed to leave their homes unescorted, much less get an education.
Ms. Parlika, however, earned her master's degree in economics, and she was elected head of an organization called the Democratic Organization of Afghan Women. She was imprisoned and tortured as a result of her activism.
When the United States ousted the Taliban rulers, she was elected to help form Afghanistan's constitution, and this year she plans to run for the senate there. She was nominated this year for the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work.
"She is an amazing person," said Ms. Haskins, who met Ms. Parlika on her trips to the country.
The two women toured Ground Zero in New York City on their visit this week.
"It was really emotional to be there with her, especially since 9/11 is what brought my attention to the country," Ms. Haskins said.
Shortly after the attacks, Ms. Haskins saw a news program about the plight of Afghan women and decided to help. She and others have raised thousands of dollars to provide meals, blankets and school supplies to orphans.
Ms. Parlika will talk March 26 at San Marcos High School; the time has not been finalized.
For more information, visit www.aaoh.org.
