On 21st November 2009, HAWCA received the first ever international award of Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize (EHMP). We believe that this achievement has been done with the help of our donors, partners and supporters. And we would like to dedicate this award to all victims of violence in Afghanistan.      

"During her childhood, Emma Humphreys witnessed many violent assaults on her mother by her stepfather and at the age of 16 she was homeless. She was offered shelter by one of her client, Trevor Armitage who locked her in a room and she was gang raped by three men and, despite her distress, Armitage would continue to abuse and rape her. Emma couldn't bear the abuse any more and stabbed him once and soon he died. On her arrest, she was not able to explain the reason of killing Armitage. Because of her extreme traumatisation, Emma allowed the police to construct her statement and could not give any evidence in her defense. Emma was convicted of murder and was sentenced at 17 years old to prison with an ‘indefinite sentence’. Emma contacted Justice For Women in September 1992 after seeing media coverage of the Sara Thornton and Kiranjit Ahluwalia campaigns. As result of campaign by Justice For Women, she was released from the prison and later she joined this organization as an active campaigner and on the 11th of July 1998 Emma died in her sleep after an accidental overdose of prescription medication. After her death colleagues and friends from Justice for Women set up a memorial prize award in her memory to acknowledge the contribution of Emma and women like her who are working to end violence against women and children."

 
The following note was read out during the award ceremony:

Humanitarian Assistance for the Women and Children of Afghanistan (HAWCA) is an Afghan national NGO dedicated to working for the social well-being of all people with a particular focus on women and children who live in Afghanistan or in refugee communities in Pakistan.

HAWCA recognises that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent forms of discrimination in Afghanistan. The organisation provides direct help and assistance to women facing violence and uses its experience to raise awareness within the communities of Afghanistan, with the national government and internationally. It is currently leading efforts to write Afghanistan’s reports to the UN Committee on the Convention Against All forms of Discrimination Against Women.

HAWCA’s work in Herat Province is one example of its work. HAWCA opened a Legal Aid Centre for Female Victims of Violence, in Herat city in July 2009. Herat has been reported as "The Centre of Domestic Violence". Herat Province has the highest rate of self-burning by women and girls in the whole Afghanistan. Last year, the hospitals in Herat reported that 150 women and girls who have burned themselves had been brought to hospital, but of course there are more cases that haven't been brought to any health centres which are all the outcomes of different kind of violence in particular domestic violence.

Working on violence against women and children is one of the most dangerous activities a group can do in Afghanistan. By refusing to stay silent on this issue; and working directly to prevent violence, as well as with victims of violence, HAWCA reminds the international community, as well as the Afghan Government, that violence against women is an impediment to development as well as a breach of women and children’s human rights.

In the past HAWCA has received many international awards like award from Amnesty International – Italian Section for working and struggling in favour of Human Rights in Afghanistan; a joint award with The New York Fire Department from Sabino Arana Foundation – Spain, for being both the heroes and victims of the attacks perpetrated against the World Trade Centre; and many more. It is an honour for us to receive the first ever international award of the Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize. We are proud to stand together with women in the UK who work on these issues and look forward to continued collaboration with our friends in Europe.

Madam Emma Humphreys was a victim of the violence but her struggle and fight, made her a heroine. She didn’t remain silence and fought for her rights, and resulted in change of law in the country.  We send our salutes and respects to Madam Emma Humphreys and all women around the world who are fighting for their equal rights.

Selay Ghaffar

Executive Director, HAWCA
    

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

Pictures: Courtesy Reclaim the Night

 

For further information, video clip and pictures, please visit the following links:

1- http://www.reclaimthenight.org/previous.html
2- http://www.ldnfeministnetwork.ik.com/p_rnt09.ikml
3- http://www.emmahumphreys.org/