Dear friends,

The following statement is in direct response to the assassination of Sushmita Banerjee by Taliban-affiliated militants on 4th September, 2013.  As you may know, the killing of Banerjee follows an alarming increase in targeted assassinations and attempts on the lives of women’s rights activists and women in prominent positions, as well as a general escalation of violence against women in Afghanistan.

The wording and demands in the statement have been drafted with input from our partners in Afghanistan.  We ask that you consider endorsing this Joint statement on the assassination of Sushmita Banerjee, and the alarming increase in VAW in Afghanistan by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and help us circulate it widely as well in other e-lists, among your partners and constituencies and via social media.  

Please send any endorsements by 27 September 2013.  In addition, any suggestions of strategic contacts among Afghan officials or those in international institutions that we should be directing the finalized statement to would be very useful.

In solidarity,

AWID & WLUML

Shareen Gokal

Strategic Initiative Manager, Resisting & Challenging Religious Fundamentalisms, Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | Skype: shareengokal | Tel: +001 4165943773 ext.24 | Fax: +001 4165940330