Mika Straight Up

Mika Brzezinksi sits down with two leading voices at the forefront of women’s rights movement. Naheed Farid, Former Member of the Wolesi Jirga and Human Rights, Civil Society and Women’s Affairs Commission Chairperson and Melanne Verveer, the Executive Director, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security join the pod discuss the Taliban’s return to Afghanistan, the dire human rights crisis, and what the international community can do to support Afghan women at this urgent time.

Following the recording of this episode on February 9, Naheed Farid and Zarifa Ghafari were honored by Hillary Clinton with the Changemaker Award at Forbes' 30/50 Summit on International Women's Day 2022.

Created with support from Bank of America.

Here are a few ways you can support Afghan women at this urgent time:

• Volunteer or donate to help Afghan families in your community. Visit Welcome.US to learn more.
• Support Georgetown's work with Afghan women leaders. (Go to https://onwardforafghanwomen.org/ and contact us if you think you might have a job opportunity or speaking opportunity for an Afghan woman)
• Impact US policy: Reach out to your Congressperson and demand that the US put pressure on the Taliban and do everything it can to protect the people in Afghanistan from violence, starvation, and loss of rights and opportunities—and ensure that Afghan women are consulted in all decisions that affect them.