Make a Difference on International Women’s Day

submitted by Madeleine Tarasick | Mar 01, 2023

The plight of women and girls in Afghanistan stands out as the most shocking global disaster where misogyny is the cornerstone of the ruling “government”. Afghanistan is a real-life dystopia for girls and women (and oppressive for the population in general). New restrictions are introduced almost daily on half the population, including the right to work (with some rare exceptions), to enjoy freedom of movement, to dress as they wish, to participate in civil society, to go to public places such as parks and the list goes on. But what stands out as really astonishing is that all education is banned for girls and women after Grade 6. Afghanistan is the only country on the planet that practises such absolute gender apartheid. It is no wonder that Denmark, Sweden and Finland are offering refugee status to any female that makes it to their countries purely on the basis of her gender. 

But where there is will, there is a way! Help support a virtual classroom. Students are supplied with tablets, home internet costs, resources, and online instruction in real time by trained Afghan teachers (whose salaries we cover). Currently a Grade 7 class has completed a year of instruction (the girls, remaining anonymous, were exhilarated to be able to continue their education) and currently a second Grade 7 and 2 Grade 8 classes are being launched. Cost to operate one class for a school year is: $15,980. This program is operated, under the radar, by Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. 

Perhaps International Women’s Day may be appealing as an opportunity to make a difference for girls in Afghanistan. Our local group is focussing specifically on the DD Classroom initiative, the program offering real-time virtual classes, with the roll-out eventually extending to Grade 12. 

A donation form, customized for us by CW4WAfghan, enables donations to go directly to this initiative; here is the link if you wish to donate: 

https://give-can.keela.co/dd-classroom-kingston-chapter

Income tax receipts when done electronically will arrive within a couple of days; allow up to 2 weeks for receipts for mailed in cheques.

For those who wish to donate by cheque:

Make cheque payable to Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan; Put DD Classroom in the subject line Mail to: Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan PO Box 15007 Aspen Woods Calgary, AB T3H 0N8

The national organization website is:  cw4wafghan.ca

For further information, contact Madeliene at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..