Hazara Women of Afghanistan Share Digital Stories is a groundbreaking hybrid digital empowerment program for refugees/evacuees in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and Malmö, Sweden. Launching in January 2025, it provides Hazara women with digital literacy and storytelling skills, fostering collaboration, creativity, and confidence. This initiative offers a unique platform for Hazara women to share their voices, reclaim their identity, and promote accurate narratives about their community. For more details, visit the link:
https://www.judischekulturbund.com/hazara-digital-stories/.
In January 2025, facilitators will lead four weekly sessions encouraging participants to express themselves and share inspiring stories from their communities. This program fosters collaboration, creativity, and confidence while amplifying the voices of Hazara women.
A key long-term goal is to help Hazara women in the Afghanistani diaspora recognize the importance of sharing their lived experiences. Through storytelling, they can better understand their journeys and reshape their identities. For centuries, women have used storytelling to convey knowledge, preserving vital aspects of their cultural heritage. The Taliban's silencing of women's voices and narratives poses a significant threat to Hazara's identity. Additionally, the generalized story of women in Afghanistan must not subsume the unique experiences of Hazara women of Afghanistan.
Funding: To ensure the success of this pilot program, we need financial support to cover essential activities and materials. This includes transportation for participants, high-quality microphones for recording their stories, editing support, nutritious food to sustain them during sessions, and fair compensation for our dedicated team members. Your support will help us create a nurturing environment where Hazara women can confidently share their voices and experiences, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.
We are excited to launch this program in collaboration with the Hazara American Association, The Jüdische Kulturbund Project, Bamyan Foundation, The Shriver Center at UMBC, Teater DOS, and the US-Afghan Women's Council. We believe that sharing Hazara women's digital stories will empower them and inspire greater understanding and appreciation of their resilience.
