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Iraqi and Afghan Women Activists Urge American Women to Vote

08/18/2004

YANAR MOHAMMED OF IRAQ AND "ZOYA" OF AFGHANISTAN IN NYC FOR "WOMEN AND POWER: OUR TIME TO LEAD" CONFERENCE SPONSORED BY OMEGA INSTITUTE AND V-DAY

Yanar Mohammed, founder of the Organisation for Women's Freedom (OWFI) in Iraq, and Zoya, a member of The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), will be in New York City for the Omega and V-Day "Women And Power:Our Time To Lead" Conference and will discuss the current state of women and impact of war in their respective countries.

Both women will be speaking at the "WOMEN & POWER: OUR TIME TO LEAD" conference taking place from September 10-13 at the Sheraton Hotel in New York City, presented by Omega Institute and V-Day. Some of the most powerful women in the fields of business, politics, education and the arts discuss how women can change the world from the inside out.

Renowned speakers include: Jane Fonda, Eve Ensler, Gloria Steinem, Carole Black, Sarah Jones, Pat Mitchell and more.

Yanar Mohammed is the Director of The Organization of Women's Freedom (OWFI), a group that works to stop the atrocities against Iraqi women and defend their rights. One of the organization's main projects is the development of a battered women's shelter in Baghdad to protect women who are fleeing from violence and "honor killings." In addition, she serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Equality newspaper(Al-Mousawat).

One of RAWA's main spokeswomen and representatives, Zoya was the subject of the 2002 book Zoya's Story: An Afghan Woman's Struggle for Freedom, published by William Morrow. Born in Kabul in 1976, she grew up during the wars that ravaged Afghanistan. Her parents were murdered by Muslim fundamentalists. Zoya is an active member of RAWA now and works in RAWA projects for Afghanistan women and refugee camps in Pakistan and inside Afghanistan. She has also represented RAWA in many events and conferences in the US, Italy, Spain, Germany etc. to raise awareness on the plight of Afghan women.

Both women have vast experience on the ground in their countries as activists working to help make conditions better for women and all people.