Why Women for Afghan Women: An Interview with Jeb

by Kim Warnick (kwarnick@callingallcrows.org), Mobilization Coordinator

Jeb Gutelius is the co-director of Calling All Crows. We sat down to discuss this year's Humanitarian Aid Campaign, Afghan Women's Shelters.

K: Why did Calling All Crows (CAC) choose to support Women for Afghan Women (WAW) this year?

J: There were a few New York Times articles about Afghanistan, starting in January and focused on women. All the articles covered the same basic points - first, there is an incredible need for women’s shelters in the country; second, the government had just announced they were going to take over these shelters; and third, many NGOs were banding together to fight this government decision.

K: The need for help and the hope for change with these groups banding together creates a pretty compelling story to support women in Afghanistan. What made Women for Afghan Women stand out among the other organizations working there?

J: The organization is run by an Afghan-American woman, who actually grew up in Afghanistan. We really like the local component of WAW - the staff in Afghanistan are all local.  They're a United States organization (based in Queens), so they adhere very strictly to financial transparency, have an engaged and supportive board, and their governance is very sound. Further, they’re small enough that we can have a tangible impact on the work they do.

An exciting piece is that they are the ones who developed women's shelters in Afghanistan. They’ve been working in the country for ten years and saw the need for a safe and supportive place for women. So, about four years ago they created the program. They are currently expanding into areas with an incredible need for these shelters, and which are also very dangerous. And,  WAW continues to strategize how their programming can remain sustainable; they’re not only providing a safe place to live (hugely important), but also are ensuring that the people they help are receiving an education: they’re learning how to read and write, vocational skills, and about their legal rights. The programming focuses on the complete person.

K: What has been the best part of working with them so far?

J: They’re very accessible and love talking about the people they're helping. Because of their small size, they're fortunate to be able to create personal connections. The staff are constantly describing the women they help and sharing their stories; they’re just so proud of these women, and that pride resonated with us. My main point of contact is with one of the board members in Queens, Esther Hyneman. She has been working with them for 10 years and is so honored to work with these women who are not only surviving but truly thriving.  

We all have seen the picture from the Times magazine cover of the woman whose nose and ears were cut off.  Bibi Aisha was married at a young age and abused by her husband and in-laws. She ran away at age 18, but was tracked down by the Taliban. Her husband brought her to the mountains to punish her: he cut off her ears and nose as his brother held her down and they left her to die. When she woke up, she managed to find a WAW shelter.

In early April, I went to Queens to visit WAW and meet with Esther.  While there, Bibi walked in. It was breathtaking to meet this woman. She was a bubbly, shining teen. She's now safe, is going to have reconstructive surgery, and she's going to have a life. And to see that firsthand? Breathtaking.