A Ray of Hope in Afghanistan

A Ray of Hope in Afghanistan?

Some moments require us to put politics aside and lean on our basic humanity to guide us, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan is just such a moment. My heart goes out to the many U.S. military service members and their families, and our Afghan allies and friends who have been impacted or lost their lives in recent weeks.?

I’ve been particularly struck by the plight of the Afghan women and girls who are most at risk from the return to Taliban rule, and at awe of the sheer courage and tenacity of those on the ground in Afghanistan standing up for the rights of women and girls to an education and other fundamental human rights.?

Their work couldn’t be more important. Despite progress over the past two decades, Afghan women and girls still face tremendous obstacles to education. Nearly 90% of Afghan women are illiterate, while up to 80% face forced marriage, many before the age of 16.

?As individuals, companies, and nations, it’s incumbent upon us to protect those who are most vulnerable. That’s why Brightmark today contributed to Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation, which has been educating women and girls in Afghanistan for 13 years. Its founder, Razia Jan, needs our support to help her school accommodate many new girls who have been displaced to their region in recent weeks and to support the school community through this unstable time.

?Razia’s bravery and determination are deeply inspiring. She has helped to educate thousands of girls while transforming deeply held beliefs around education itself. According to A Mighty Girl, one of the first major challenges she encountered was overcoming local prejudice against educating girls. "I tell my teachers on the first day of school to teach the kindergartners how to write their name and their father’s name," she said. "Many of these men use their thumbprint for a signature, so if they see their daughters writing their name, it might help change the men’s attitude toward us."

Please join the Brightmark team in supporting Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation. Let’s continue to shine a light on the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, and throughout the world. You can contribute here.