Over 7,500 miles from the comforts of American life, the Taliban have taken control over Afghanistan once again. As a result, decades of progress and hard work in furtherance of women's rights have been violently set back. Once again, basic freedoms - which we take for granted in the United States - have been forcefully taken away in one rapid instance.

Right now an Afghan woman is not able to walk outside in public, unless accompanied by a male... An Afghan woman is unable to reveal her face because it is the "source of corruption"... An Afghan woman is not allowed to get an education because she is seen as less than a man... An Afghan woman is unable to shop without being ridiculed and labeled a prostitute... An Afghan woman is forbidden from renting a home or having access to a job, and many resort to selling/killing her children or working in prostitution just so their families will not starve to death...

Once again these women have been left to be forgotten and invisible to the eyes of the world. Our purpose is to support their recovery from this unacceptable invasion of human rights. With your help, we can make a difference in standing for their basic human rights.

These women were not prepared to deal with the Taliban stripping them of basic human rights. However, even with the deck stacked against them, these women have chosen to play their hand. In the face of systematic oppression, these brave women have already established schools for young girls to pursue education, kept each other safe, including providing for safe passage outside the country when necessary, and are working together to share basic necessities for daily life. We now have the opportunity to support these women to keep their hand in the game and go all-in for a winning hand!

Who I Am

My name is Jennifer Oh. I am a Korean-American from Los Angeles, California. As an American, I feel incredibly privileged to be able to have basic freedoms and my goal is to support others to experience and enjoy the same freedoms and opportunities that I have been afforded. I am starting this fundraiser as a way to give back to those in dire need and to make a difference in the lives of oppressed women.

International Rescue Committee

I am teaming up with the International Rescue Committee ("IRC") to support the women in Afghanistan. I've long been a fan of the IRC and how it centers its humanitarian efforts around supporting women and children.

The IRC provides vital support to Afghans who have endured four decades of violent conflict, as well as natural disasters and the spread of COVID-19. The IRC began work in Afghanistan in 1988. Its programs span eight provinces and reach millions, with additional support provided to Afghans who have fled to neighboring countries or who have been resettled in the United States.

Afghanistan is currently one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to identify as a woman. Political and economic insecurity, educational inequality, sexual violence, and poor health are pervasive amongst Afghan women and children, but when equipped with powerful vocational and economic tools, women can change their lives, regardless of circumstance.

Despite four decades of conflict, Afghanistan saw gains in women and girls’ rights in the last two decades. But the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation has left girls uncertain about their future, including if and when they will be able to go back to school. Even before August, it was estimated that half of all children were missing out on education, and girls accounted for 60 percent of the out-of-school population. With the new realities in Afghanistan today, we expect increases in child marriage compounded with diminished access to sexual and reproductive health care and services.

How is the Money Spent?

I plan on contributing every dollar collected from this fundraiser to the IRC's efforts in Afghanistan.

The IRC provides support to Afghanistan in the following ways:

For information about the IRC's work in support of Afghanistan please visit https://www.rescue.org/article/how-irc-helps-afghanistan.

Our Vision

We are committed to support the IRC in its work towards enhancing the lives of discriminated women in Afghanistan. We are declaring raising the sum of $20,000 in 25 days to contribute towards this humanitarian crisis. Please join us in our mission of helping those in need! Even the smallest amount goes a long way.