International Women’s Day 2023

On the 8th March 2023, co-working and cultural space Second Home came together with the Afghan diaspora-led magazine, Ariana hosted an event in London in celebration of International Women’s Day and to raise money for Rahela Trust. We saw an amazing group of people come together to support the people of Afghanistan, learn more about the current situation for women in Afghanistan, and celebrate Afghan culture.

The event opened with a speech from the host for the evening, Founder of Ariana Magazine, Ariana Abawe and a few words from Second Home’s Cultural Curator, Magdalena Moursy. The first presentation was from Afghan poet, Hadisa Hussain Afzaly who read her inspiring work in Farsi and then English. Second, we heard from our Founder and Director Rahela Sidiqi, who gave an update on the current situation in Afghanistan and the women we work with. Audiences were then lucky to witness a panel of incredible speakers, including a member of Afghanistan’s first women’s football team, Sabriah Nawrozi Mohseni who dreams of becoming a member of Manchester City’s Women’s Football team, Former Afghan Judge Marzia Babakarkhail and Blind Afghan disability rights activist and co-founder of  Rahyab Organisation, Benafsha Yaqoobi and her husband, Mahdi Salami.

The night closed with a traditional rubab performance and fashion show, featuring clothes from MAC Store London and DELICIOUS food from Watani Box and Kulcha Kafe. 

The whole event was captured on film by YouTube channel, Your Voice TV1, founded to help change the perception of Afghans and Afghanistan, to one that recognises Afghanistan’s positive, vibrant culture and brilliant people.

What was so special about this event was seeing people with a shared passion to free Afghan women meet, form new bonds and spark new ideas.

The event raised a £609 and put us in touch with some new long term supporters. Thank you to everyone who participated!