women`s voices now presents

WOMEN’S VOICES NOW
PRESENTS:
“Make no mistake: The work of the nine activists
featured in [Honor Diaries] is extremely important as they fight
for women’s rights.” - Red Eye Reviews, October 7, 2013
voices
“A film about gender inequality and the long history of oppression of
women in countries around the globe.” - October, 15, 2013
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“It is a cause that Hillary Clinton, Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman
have spoken out to support.”
- Yahoo Voices, October 15, 2013
Honor Diaries is the first film to break the silence on ‘honor violence’ against women
and girls. Honor Diaries is more than a movie, it is a movement to save women and
girls from human rights abuses around the world and here in America.
PROBLEM
In male-dominated cultures, like Saudi Arabia, women and girls are treated like property, forced into
marriage, and suffer female genital mutilation. Now, these practices are coming to America. There
were 3,000 cases of forced marriage in the US over the past two years and 150,000 - 200,000 girls in
the United States at risk of being forced to undergo female genital mutilation. When these women
and girls suffer in silence, they suffer alone and their suffering grows.
CATALYST FOR CHANGE
Only when women come together and break the silence can their suffering end. Honor Diaries is the
first film to break the silence on ‘honor violence’ against women and girls. The cast of female human
rights activists, including New York Times Bestselling author Ayaan Hirsi Ali, come together in Honor
Diaries to lift their voices and speak the truth; that culture is no excuse for abuse.
SOLUTION
Honor Diaries is more than a movie, its a movement to save women and girls around the world. Visit
our website and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of millions of women worldwide by
urging your Congressman to support IVAWA- International Violence Against Women Act.
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H o n o r D i a r i es . c o m
[PRESS RELEASE 1]
DirecTV Documentary Series “Something to Talk About”
Launches Women’s Rights Film: “Honor Diaries”
Film Sparks Movement to Stop “Honor Violence” Against Women and Girls
New York City – The powerful and inspiring new documentary film HONOR DIARIES –
premiering on December 5th on DirecTV – is the first film to break the silence on ‘honor violence’
against women and girls.
WHAT: DirecTV documentary series “Something to Talk About” premiere of “Honor Diaries”
WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 2013 (time: TBA)
WHERE: Channel TBA (Clips available now at HonorDiaries.com)
Premiering alongside the Sean Penn-featured documentary “Haiti Untold” and “JFK: A President Betrayed,”
Honor Diaries features a cast of women’s rights activists, including New York Times Bestselling author Ayaan
Hirsi Ali. “In male-dominated cultures, like Saudi Arabia, women and girls are treated like property, forced
into marriage, and suffer female genital mutilation,” said Ayaan Hirsi Ali. “In Honor Diaries, I am proud to join
these courageous women to speak the truth; that culture is no excuse for abuse.”
“Honor Diaries is the first film to break the silence on ‘honor violence’ against women and girls,” said Paula
Kweskin, Honor Diaries producer and international human rights lawyer. “More than a movie, Honor Diaries
is a movement to save women and girls around the world, and here in America, from human rights abuses.”
Honor Diaries brings together a diverse coalition of human rights groups to champion this important cause,
including: Women’s Voices Now, the AHA Foundation, All Afghan Women’s Union, Alliance of Iranian Women,
American Islamic Forum for Democracy, Congress of Racial Equality, Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow,
Girls’ Globe, Tehrik-e-Niswan (The Women’s Movement of Pakistan) and more. “When women suffer in silence, they suffer alone, and their suffering grows,” said Raheel Raza, President of
The Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow and co-star of Honor Diaries. “Only when women come together
and break the silence can this suffering end. On DirecTV on December 5th (time: TBA), Honor Diaries will
break the silence on behalf of all women and girls.”
To arrange interviews, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
For more information: www.HonorDiaries.com
*Yahoo Voices, October 15,2013
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[PRESS RELEASE 2]
Early Praise For “HONOR DIARIES”
(Clips available now at HonorDiaries.com)
“Make no mistake: The work of the nine activists featured in [Honor Diaries] is extremely important
as they fight for women’s rights.”
Red Eye Reviews, Oct.ober 7, 2013
voices
“A film about gender inequality and the long history of oppression of women in countries around the
October, 15, 2013
globe.” “One of the thing(s) that’s important to remember is that no major world religion, be it Islam, Judaism,
Christianity… Not one condones violence against women. Or violence, for that matter!”
- NPR World View (WBEZ),
Alexandra Soloman, October 14, 2013
Women who have seen Honor Diaries – in their own words
“Such an important film.”
“A film like honor diaries brings the conversation home”
- K Sujata, President of Chicago Foundation for Women
“It’s so important that more people see this. Men and women.”
- Maisha Wynn from “Live to Wynn
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H o n o r D i a r i es . c o m
QUOTE FROM FILM’S STARS - HONOR DIARIES
PAULA KWESKIN
(Honor Diaries producer and international human rights lawyer)
“Honor Diaries is the first film to break the silence on ‘honor violence’ against women and girls. Honor Diaries
is more than a movie, it is a movement to save women and girls from human rights abuses – around the world
and here in America.”
AYAAN HIRSI ALI
(New York Times Bestselling author and Founder of the AHA Foundation to “protect and reinforce the basic rights and
freedoms of women and girls.”)
“In male-dominated cultures, like Saudi Arabia, women and girls are treated like property, forced into marriage,
and suffer female genital mutilation. In Honor Diaries, I am proud to join a courageous cast of female human
rights activists to speak the truth; that culture is no excuse for abuse.”
RAHEEL RAZA
(President of The Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow and co-star of Honor Diaries, author, diversity consultant
and advocate of gender equality.)
“When women suffer in silence, they suffer alone and their suffering grows. Only when women come
together and break the silence can their suffering end. On DirecTV on December 5th, Honor Diaries will
break the silence on behalf of women and girls.”
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BIOS – FILM’S STARS
Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Executive Producer of Honor Diaries, Expert Interviewee,
New York Times Bestselling Author, Founder, AHA Foundation
Ayaan, an outspoken defender of women’s rights in Islamic societies, was born in Somalia.
She escaped an arranged marriage by immigrating to the Netherlands and served as a
member of the Dutch Parliament from 2003 to 2006. In parliament, she worked on
furthering the integration of non-Western immigrants into Dutch society and defending the rights of
women in Dutch Muslim society.
In 2004, together with director Theo van Gogh, she made Submission, a film about the oppression
of women in conservative Islamic cultures. The airing of the film on Dutch television resulted in the
assassination of Mr. van Gogh by Islamic extremists.
Ayaan is a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she researches the relationship
between the West and Islam, women’s rights in Islam, violence against women propagated by religious
and cultural arguments, and Islam in Europe.
In response to ongoing abuses of women’s rights, Ayaan and her supporters established the AHA
Foundation, in 2007, to help protect and defend the rights of women in the West from oppression
justified by religion and culture.
Nazanin Afshin-Jam - President and Co-Founder, Stop Child Executions
Nazanin is an international human rights activist, singer/songwriter, actor, model, author,
and former Miss World Canada.
In 2006, Nazanin successfully ran an international campaign to save the life of a juvenile sentenced
to death in Iran for stabbing a man that tried to rape her. She has since co-founded Stop Child
Executions to help put an end to executions of juveniles worldwide.
Nazanin is a Member of the Board of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, which helps eliminate
racism and discrimination in Canada. She is also the recipient of several human rights awards and has
spoken both at the United Nations and the European Union.
As author of The Tale of Two Nazanins, Nazanin donates half of the book’s proceeds to organizations
working to end violence against women and children in Iran. She has a Bacherlor’s degree in
International Relations and Political Science from the University of British Columbia, and a Master’s
degree in Diplomacy, with a concentration in International Conflict Management, from Norwich
University, in Vermont.
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Dr. Qanta Ahmed - Expert Interviewee | Author, In the Land of Invisible Women
Qanta is a sleep disorders specialist and an attending physician at Winthrop University
Hospital, in New York, as well as an Associate Professor of Medicine at the State University
of New York (Stony Brook).
Qanta’s first book, In the Land of Invisible Women, details her experience of living and working in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has been published in 13 countries.
As a regular contributor to the Huffington Post, Qanta writes about political and religious issues
pertaining to Islam, the Middle East, medicine and global health diplomacy. She is also a regular
columnist for the USA Today:Your Life section where she writes the Sleep Matters column.
Qanta is a member of the Board of Directors for Women’s Voices Now, a nonprofit foundation
sponsoring the first film festival focusing on Muslim women and girls. She is also an active member of
The OpEd Project. In 2010, she was honored by NYMOVES Magazine as a Power Woman.
Follow Qanta on twitter @MissDiagnosis and at the Huffington Post at www.huffingtonpost.com/
qanta-ahmed.
Nazie Eftekhari - Founder, Chair and CEO, HealthEZ, Inc.
Nazie is a board member of the Iranian-American Political Action Committee and
Founder of The Araz Group, the first preferred provider organization in the U.S.
Nazie is a graduate of the London School of Economics and has also attended the University of
Southern California (UK) Graduate Program in International Relations and the University of
Minnesota, MHA. She served on Speaker Pelosi’s Cabinet Leadership Circle (DCCC), on the boards
of the Nonviolent Initiative for Democracy (NID) and the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans
(PAAIA), as well as the University of Minnesota Medical School and the Carlson Business School.
Often honored and recognized for her leadership in business, philanthropy and service to the
community, Nazie received the International Immigrant Achievement Award in 2011. In 1991, she
established The Foundation for the Children of Iran, dedicated to indigent Iranian children receiving
life-saving health care services in the United States that are not available in Iran.
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Manda Zand Ervin - Founder and President, Alliance of Iranian Women
Manda is an Iranian political refugee working to bring attention to the plight of Iranian
women under Islamic Sharia laws.
In 2009, Manda was the featured speaker on Iran at the G-8 International Conference on Violence
Against Women. She is frequently consulted by members of Congress considering resolutions and
legislation on Iran policy and human rights, and almost single-handedly gathered the support to pass
a 2003 U.S. Senate Resolution on the human rights of women in Iran. In 2008, Manda was appointed
by the President of the United States as the US Delegate to the United Nations’ Commission on the
Status of Women. Manda speaks on international TV and radio programs, including CNN, BBC, Radio
France, VOA, Radio America, and cable television stations which broadcast into Iran. She also speaks
at conferences on the History of American/Iranian Relations, Human Rights, and Islamic Sharia Law.
Manda is the winner of the Speaker of Truth award.
Sherizaan Minwalla - Expert Interviewee , Director of Legal and Social Services, Tahirih Justice Center
Sherizaan works to assist immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence.
Prior to working with Tahirih, Sherizaan worked with Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human
Rights, a Chicago-based non-profit organization. Based in Iraq as Heartland Alliance’s Country Director
and later Middle East Regional Director, Sherizaan ran legal, health, mental health and gender-focused
human rights programs throughout Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, including legal protection programs for
victims of gender-based violence and human trafficking who fled gender-based persecution and honor
violence.
Prior to working in the Middle East, Sherizaan ran Heartland Alliance’s National Immigrant Justice
Center’s domestic violence immigration program, representing several hundred immigrant survivors
of domestic violence and sexual assault in immigration matters.
She is the 2004 recipient of the Kimball R. & Karen Gatsis Anderson Public Interest Fellowship through
the Chicago Bar Foundation, and the 2005 recipient of the Honorable Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Public
Interest Award through Chicago-Kent College of Law in recognition of public interest leadership.
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H o n o r D i a r i es . c o m
Fahima Hashim - Director, Salmmah Women’s Resource Centre in Sudan
Fahima is a women’s rights defender/activist, researcher and trainer with over 25 years
of experience in the areas of gender and development.
Fahima, has placed a special focus on women’s rights and sexuality, on violence against women and on
working with female youth in conflict and post-conflict situations. She has travelled extensively and
written and researched widely in the areas of women’s rights and gender equality in Sudan.
Fahima has a Masters Degree in Documentation and Library Sciences from Bayero University in
Kano, Nigeria, and is currently studying for a second Masters Degree in Sudanese Studies at The
Institute of African and Asian Studies in the University of Khartoum in Sudan.
She is a member of the Advisory Committee of the International Campaign to Stop Rape and Gender
Violence in Conflict, led by the Nobel Women Initiative, as well as a Council Member of Women
Living under Muslim Laws Network.
Zainab Khan - Licensed clinical therapist
Zainab is an activist for global women’s rights. She advocates for global education and for
world leaders to fulfill their commitments towards the Millennium Development Goals
for Universal Primary Education and Promoting Gender Equality.
Zainab has done therapy with survivors of domestic violence, primarily within the South Asian
community. She is currently involved in non-profit management.
Raheel Raza - President, The Council for Muslims Facing Tomorrow
Raheel is an author, professional speaker and founder of Forum 4 Learning, which
promotes learning in the fields of cultural and religious diversity and interfaith harmony.
Raheel is the author of Their Jihad…Not My Jihad, and a professional speaker and diversity consultant.
Travelling extensively throughout the world as a freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker, she
brings a fresh global perspective to her mandate, “there is unity in diversity.”
A fervent advocate for gender equality, Raheel is the first Muslim woman in Canada to lead mixed
gender prayers. In her pursuit for human rights, she speaks regularly at the United Nations Human
Rights Council in Geneva.
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Raheel has received many awards for her work building bridges of understanding, including the City of
Toronto’s Constance Hamilton Award. In a presentation to Members of Parliament and international
diplomats at the House of Commons in Canada, Raheel received a standing ovation for her speech
called “Celebrating our Differences.”
Follow Raheel’s work at her website:www.raheelraza.com.
Jasvinder Sanghera - Co-Founder, Karma Nirvana
Jasvinder, a survivor of a forced marriage, is an author and the Founder and Chief Executive
of Karma Nirvana, a UK-based nationwide helpline supporting all those impacted by
forced marriages and honor-based violence.
She is also the author of the two bestselling books Shame and Daughters of Shame, as well as the
recently-published Shame Travels.
Jasvinder has used the authority of her life experience to inform legislative change in the UK and has
been credited for her role in bringing about the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act of 2007.
Among her many accolades and awards, Jasvinder has been recognized as an Ambassador for Peace
by the Women’s Federation of Peace and was awarded the Pride of Britain award in 2009.
She has recently been appointed ambassador for Plan UK’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign, which
works to bring the world’s poorest girls from a life of poverty to one of opportunity.
Jasvinder is an established contributor to various international media networks such as the BBC,
CNN, Newsweek documentaries, and various radio and newspaper articles.
Raquel Saraswati - Activist, writer and commentator
Raquel is an activist, writer, and commentator on issues related to Islam, human rights,
and international affairs.
Raquel’s primary focus is ending gender-based violence and advancing reform within the Muslim
community through the empowerment of women and the separation of mosque and state.
She lectures and publishes internationally on honor-based violence, forced and child marriage, the
challenge of political Islam, and the role of women in transforming the Muslim world. She also mentors
young women and men on matters like faith and freedom, modernity, trauma, and empowerment.
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Professionally, Raquel spearheads new media initiatives and conducts research for nonprofit
organizations and think tanks working on the Middle East and South Asia, Islam, and gender-based
violence.
Follow Raquel on Twitter at @raquelevita.
Juliana Taimoorazy - Founder, Iraqi Christian Relief Council
Juliana started the nonprofit organization to help foster awareness about the plight of the
Iraqi Christians and to raise funds to deliver food and medicine to Iraq.
After fleeing Iran in 1989, due to religious persecution, Juliana, an Assyrian Christian, received her
graduate degree in Instructional Design and worked as a Training and Development Specialist for
Fortune 500 companies for several years.
In 2007, Juliana started to volunteer for Catholic Charities, in Chicago, and began mentoring young
Iraqi Christian women arriving from refugee camps in Turkey and Syria. This led to the creation of the
Iraqi Christian Relief Council.
Juliana’s philanthropic efforts have taken her toWashington, D.C. where she has advocated for persecuted
Christians in the Middle East, meeting with the lawmakers in both the House of Representatives and
the Senate.
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HONOR DIARIES COALITION
Honor Diaries brings together a diverse coalition of human rights
groups to speak up for the rights of women and girls.
Women’s Voices Now
http://womensvoicesnow.org
Women’s Voices Now promotes the free expression of all women living in Muslim-majority
societies through film, art, writing and social media with the goal of empowering women and
giving voice to the struggle for civil, economic and political rights.
AHA Foundation
http://theahafoundation.org
The AHA Foundation works to protect and defend the basic rights and freedoms of women and
girls in the West from oppression committed in the name of religion and culture.
All Afghan Women’s Union
AAWU is a non-governmental, non-political women’s association that is moves in line with Islamic
law. This field-based organization strengthens people’s efforts through resource mobilization,
networking, vocational and human rights training, as well as advocacy training.
Alliance of Iranian Women
http://allianceofiranianwomen.org
Founded by Manda Zand Ervin, Alliance of Iranian Women works to raise awareness of the
plight of the women and children of Iran among Western leaders, media, and human rights and
women’s rights organizations.
American Islamic Forum for Democracy
http://aifdemocracy.org
American Islamic Forum for Democracy directly confronts the ideologies of political Islam and
openly counters the common belief that the Muslim faith is inextricably rooted to the concept
of the Islamic State. Founded by Dr. M. Zuhdi Jasser, AIFD looks to build the future of Islam
through the concepts of liberty and freedom.
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Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center
http://866uswomen.org
Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center works with abused Americans in foreign
countries to provide domestic violence and child abuse advocacy, resources and tools so that they
can live their lives free of abuse either in the foreign country or back in the United States.
A CALL TO MEN
http://www.acalltomen.org
A CALL TO MEN is a leading national violence prevention organization providing training and
education for men, boys and communities with the aim of preventing domestic and sexual violence.
BASIRA (BRITISH ARABS SUPPORTING INTEGRATION, RECOGNITION & AWARENESS)
http://www.basira.co.uk/
BASIRA is inspired from the Arabic word meaning the use of intellect and reasoning for a future
vision based on wisdom and humanity that serves the interests of everyone.
BASIRA will pursue, through relevant Arab film screenings, violations of women’s rights in the
volatile region of the Middle East. We wish to emphasise that women’s rights can only be protected
by a truly democratic infrastructure to secure them and the region a better future.
BASIRA is a voice from the British Arab diaspora, women and men, who are still connected by our
emotions and care for those living back home.We will work to empower women and support them
in their call for equality and justice.
Breakthrough
http://breakthrough.tv
Breakthrough works in India and the U.S. to end violence against women and promote human rights.
It creates cutting-edge pop culture and innovative education to inspire new generations of leaders
to act for change.
CAASE (CHICAGO ALLIANCE AGAINST SEXUAL EXPLOITATION)
http://caase.org/
CAASE envisions a community free from all forms of sexual exploitation, including sexual assault
and the commercial sex trade. CAASE addresses the culture, institutions, and individuals that
perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation. Our work includes prevention, policy reform,
community engagement, and legal services.
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CANADIAN WOMEN FOR WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN
http://www.cw4wafghan.ca/
Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan is a non-profit organization that strives to end the
oppression of women, create opportunities for Afghan women, and educate Canadians about the
rights of women in Afghanistan.
Canadian Women’s Foundation
http://www.canadianwomen.org
As a community of women and men who work to stop violence, end poverty and empower girls,
the Canadian Women’s Foundation dedicates itself to giving women and girls in Canada a chance
for a better life.
Clarion Project
http://www.clarionproject.org
The Clarion Project’s vision is to challenge radical Islam by creating broad-based awareness about
the nature of the threats it poses and providing a platform for moderate Muslim voices.
Congress of Racial Equality
http://www.core-online.org
Congress of Racial Equality is the third-oldest and one of the “big four” civil rights groups in the
United States, using the principles of truth, logic, and courage to promote harmony and healing in
all aspects of society and work toward the ultimate goal of true equality throughout the world.
Cooperation Center for Afghanistan
http://www.ccamazar.org
CCA is a non-governmental and non-political organization that works toward gender equality, nonviolent conflict transformation and women’s rights in rural Afghanistan. CCA runs a safe house and
provides support for victims of family violence.
Fistula Foundation
http://fistulafoundation.org
The Fistula Foundation aims to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention and
educational programs worldwide. It is the largest private charitable foundation supporting fistula
treatment globally.
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FORWARD
http://www.forwarduk.org.uk/
FORWARD is an African Diaspora women’s campaign and support charity that works toward
advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of African girls and women, striving to
put an end to child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
GIRLFORWARD
http://www.girlforward.org/
GirlForward empowers refugee girls by providing them with individual mentorship, leadership
opportunities and educational programs.
Girls’ Globe
http://girlsglobe.org
Girls’ Globe is a growing network of bloggers from around the world working to raise awareness
and educate others about global issues concerning the rights, health and empowerment of
women and girls.
Karma Nirvana
http://www.karmanirvana.org.uk
Karma Nirvana is a registered charity that supports victims and survivors of forced marriage
and honor-based abuse, and works to raise public awareness on these issues. The project was
established by Jasvinder Sanghera, a survivor of forced marriage.
LIBFORALL
http://www.libforall.org/
LibForAll’s mission is to encourage the growth of peaceful, tolerant and free societies – built
upon a foundation of civil and economic liberty and the rule of law – in order to reduce religious
extremism and discredit the use of terror worldwide.
SAFSS
http://www.safss.org
The SAFSS (Settlement Assistance & Family Support Services) focuses on assisting and providing
support group services for victims of abuse and isolated Afghani senior women.
Men Can Stop Rape
http://www.mencanstoprape.org/
Men Can Stop Rape is an award-winning non profit organization that has been redefining
masculinity, since 1997, in an admirable effort to prevent violence against women.
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PEACE IS LOUD
http://www.peaceisloud.org/
Peace is Loud works to inspire action through media and live events that spotlight women leaders
on the frontline of peace building worldwide.
The MILLA Project
http://millaproject.org
The MILLA Project strives to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence by collaborating with
governments and grassroots organizations around the world and working to build a bridge of
understanding between the East and the West.
Nika Water
http://www.nikawater.org
Nika Water is a for-profit bottled water company that donates 100% of their profits, through their
charity partners, to clean water and education projects in developing countries around the world.
Tehrik-e-Niswan
http://www.tehrik-e-niswan.org.pk
“The Women’s Movement,” based in Pakistan, focuses on cultural and creative activity, including
theater and dance, to raise awareness of the low status and position of women as well as social,
political, economic and cultural discrimination.
Shuhada Organization
http://www.shuhada.org
Shuhada Organization is a non profit, non-political, non-governmental organization providing services
in the sectors of health, education, human rights and women’s empowerment. The organization’s
aim is to make Afghanistan a more healthy, prosperous and discrimination-free country.
World Pulse
http://www.worldpulse.org
World Pulse is an action media network powered by women from 190 countries. They believe
that when women are heard, they will change the world. Their mission is to lift and unite women’s
voices to accelerate their impact for the world.Through a growing web-based platform, women are
speaking out and connecting to create solutions from the frontlines of today’s most pressing issues.
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FILM STILLS
Visit HonorDiaries.com/press to download high-resolution, print-ready image
For more information, contact:
[email protected]
[email protected]
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