Few & Far Women

"آزادی" (Freedom)

“The wall through which we see this vibrance and beauty, represents the current state of oppression faced by the Afghan people.”

This mural was painted by two members of the international crew of women street artists, graffiti writers, and skateboarders, "Few & Far Women" (@fewandfarwomen). Artists Nico (@nicosuavalicious), and Agana(@dj_agana) collaborated to create and paint this design. The artists have prepared and compiled the following information to share with the community.

• WHY: To raise awareness for the issues faced by the people of Afghanistan after the Taliban's recent takeover of the country.

• HOW: Designing and painting a mural focused on the oppression and threat faced by the Afghan people, in particular women, artists, the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as ethnic groups such as the Hazaras. Furthermore, sharing our mural via social media.

• WHAT: This mural features a vibrant colorful image of native Afghan plants and butterflies, as well as the eyes of an Afghan woman artist, our friend Amelia (@ameliast.art). The color and vibrance is a reflection of the beauty of the Afghan people, and their culture. The wall through which this visual is seen, represents the oppression faced by the Afghan people under the Taliban rule. The wall is holding back, controlling, and confining the people of Afghanistan.

• WHERE: This mural was painted on the side of the Blackbelly restaurant in Boulder, Colorado in the U.S. (1606 Conestoga St #3, Boulder, CO 80301)

• WHO: This mural was painted by two members of the international crew of women street artists, graffiti writers, and skateboarders, "Few & Far Women" (@fewandfarwomen). Artists Nico (@nicosuavalicious), and Agana(@dj_agana) collaborated to create and paint this design. This mural is a part of the 2021 Street Wise Boulder (@streetwisearts) "ARTivism" mural festival, which focuses on activism through the arts.

• WHEN: September 5th - 13th, 2021

In particular, women, artists, the LGBTQIA+ community, and minority ethnic groups such as the Hazaras face the most threat under the Taliban’s rule.

For this reason, we chose to feature our friend, an Afghan artist, Amelia (@ameliast.art). Amelia is an active artist who recently painted a mural as well to honor the lives lost in recent chaos of the Taliban take over, and to inspire hope for her people.

In the past, under Taliban rule women were not allowed to leave the house unless accompanied by a man, and they couldn't work or go to school. Today, it is unclear if the Taliban will allow women to attend school. If they do they will be required to wear a black burqa, the classes will be separated by genders (literally by a curtain), and the different genders will come and go through separate exits.

Women in Afghanistan have been protesting in various ways, including through social media.

Rejecting the Taliban’s requirement for women to wear black and completely cover up, they have begun sharing photos of themselves dressed in vibrant traditional clothing. This campaign is called #DoNotTouchMyClothes and was started by a former professor at the American University of Afghanistan named Bahar Jalali.

“This is our traditional dress. We love lots of color. Even our rice is colorful, and so is our flag." Stated BBC journalist Sodaba Haidare (@sodabahaidare).

Women have also been leading protest on the ground, chanting and holding sings calling for “آزادی” Freedom, access to work and education, and representation in government and leadership.

Afghan journalists and civilians were beaten unconscious by Taliban for joining and documenting the women's protests.

Taliban tear down, and paint over women faces featured in ads on the streets, as they believe women should be completely covered.

As soon as the Taliban assumed control of the country, they began defacing and tearing down images of women featured on billboards as well as covering street art and murals, such as the one below by the Shamsia Hassani(@shamsiahassani).

The Taliban have also covered other murals and street art around the country, such as works by the group "Art Lords" (@artlordsnet). The murals are being replaced with Islamic slogans and quotes from Taliban leaders.

Before and after the Taliban painted over this mural by the Art Lords (@artlordsnet).

AFGHAN ARTISTS TO FOLLOW:

• @amelias.art

• @shamsiahassani

• @minnamamik

• @omaid.sharifi

• @artlordsnet

• @hobbitontherun

• @lidaseyes

• @sano_artworld

• @fatinharamos

• @aaawa_art

Those who face the most threat under Taliban rule are women, artists, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic minorities such as the Hazaras, journalists, and those who work for the US or Afghan governments.

While the Taliban have recently vowed to respect women’s rights (within the norms of Islamic law), many Afghans remember all to well their previous rule during which women were confined to their homes, unable to study, work, or leave the house without a man to accompany them. Women were faced with severe abuse, and even sold as girls to become wives of Taliban fighters. One such young woman had her nose and ears cut off as punishment for trying to escape her abusive home. She was refused medical help from her family, and had to seek aid from a nearby US base.

"The United Nations estimates that nearly 90 percent of Afghanistan's women face some sort of domestic abuse. This in a country where there are fewer than a dozen women's shelters providing sanctuary from the cruelty they face. And all of them are privately run." (CNN)

Upon the Taliban takeover, women’s aid organizations such as Women for Afghan Women (WAW) that have developed over the last 20 years have shut their doors. Their leaders have received threats, gone into hiding, and also gone dark on social media to avoid being hunted and killed by the Taliban.

Even scarier, is the fact that the Taliban has released many prisoners from jail, including prisoners which were sentenced due to the fairly new (2009) Elimination of Violence Against Women Law (EVAW). These now free offenders are a serious threat to the women who worked to lock them up. Many of the advancements made to protect women over the last twenty years, have been completely reversed.

While some resource centers have begun reopening their doors and providing services for those in need, they are still fearful and in need of much support.

The Taliban have stated that their current rule will not be as extreme as it was in the past, but the Afghan people are, of course, still extremely skeptical and afraid. Many simply do not believe these statements from the Taliban about their new, more “inclusive” regime, especially after well-known folk singer Fawad Andarabi was shot dead after Taliban officials announced a ban on playing music in public.

The LGBTQIA+ community also faces a direct threat from the Taliban. In Afghanistan, you can be taken to court for your sexuality. Life in general is difficult for the queer community, but under Taliban rule, you could be "killed on the spot", says an anonymous queer man interviewed by BBC.

Under the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia Law, homosexuality is strictly prohibited and punishable by death.

He says: "As a gay person in Afghanistan, you cannot reveal yourself, even to your family or your friends." (https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-58271187)

On top of covid-19, drought, and famine, many families and children have lost their homes or been displaced due to the current situation in their country. Many have fled, and are seeking refuge across the world as well as here in the US. Cash is in extremely short supply, and the country faces a mounting economic crisis.

HOW TO HELP:

This mural is a ~window between worlds~, between us here in the US and the people of Afghanistan. It serves as a visual reminder of the suffering faced by our neighbors across the globe. We hope to encourage you to get active in helping to raise awareness, and do what you are able, to show support & solidarity .

WHO TO FOLLOW (Instagram):

• @womenforafghanwomen (largest womens aid org. in Afghanistan)

• @rainbowrailroad (helping LGBTQIA+ relocate to a safer location)

• @savethechildren (focused on youth)

• @adeprogress (help file humanitarian parole applications)

• @samovarnetwork (Afghan blog)

• @alamdarqais (photographer)

• @oneafghanistan

• @immigrationequality (HIV & LGBTQIA+ Immigrant Rights Org.)

• @aaawa_art (Afghan American Artists and Writers)

• @theafghan

• @everydayafg (a community of photographers documenting life in Afghanistan)

• @unicefaghanistan (Unicef)

• @omar.haidari (activist, student)

• @realrawaofficial (Revolutionary Association of Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). The oldest independent political org of Afghan women since 1977)

• @afghanwomensmission (support for Afghan women)

• @afghanwomenstrong (highlighting and honoring achievements by Afghan women)

• @hilahamidi

• @burqasandbeer

• @afghansempowered (resources)

• @mejgan.writes (writer)

• @andrewquilty (journalist and photographer)

• @afghansforabettertomorrow (focused on peace)

• @afghanamericanwomenscollective

• @afghanamericanfnd

• @vitalvoices (empowering women)

• @afghanaidhq (resources and support for Afghan people)

DONATE or VOLUNTEER:

• International Rescue Committee (IRC)

• Afghan Aid

• Women for Afghan Women (Best resources at the link in their bio on Instagram)

• Afghan American Artists and Writers Association

• Afghanistan Artivists Assistance Fund (https://mtyc.co/7r5x3g)

• Refugee Assistance Project

• Afghan Journalists Safety Committee

• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service

• Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund

• Save the Children

• Afghan Women and Children and the Jalala Foundation

• Sanitary Products for Displaced Afghan Women

• Urgent Crisis Relief for Afghanistan 2021

• Vital Voices

• Voice for Refuge Action Fund

RAISE AWARENESS:

• Educate yourself using valid resources and references, many of which can be found via the resources listed above.

• Educate friends and family.

• Share posts on social media from these resources and references.

• Post about it.

• Support Afghan artists.

• Support organizations that empower and provide support for Afghan women, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

• Send a message to your representative today, and urge them to consider the WELCOMED Act!, which provides resettlement assistance for Afghan Allies and friends.

RELEVANT HASHTAGS

#afghanwomenstrong #freeafghanistan #afghanistan #afghanartist #afghanartists #womenofafghanistan #standwithafghanwomen #savepanjshir #helpafghanistan #donottouchmyclothes #standwithafghanistan

Street Wise and the Artists thank our sponsors specifically Westland Development for sponsoring this mural.