Shamsia Hassani, Afghanistan’s first female graffiti artist, wrote these words on Facebook this week in response to her country’s swift takeover by the Taliban and the fear that the freedoms girls and women have won since 2001 will be crushed. Already there were reports from people who had fled to the capital Kabul from Taliban-controlled parts of the county that the Taliban had begun ordering towns to turn over unmarried girls and women to become “wives” for their fighters and publicly flogging women for leaving their homes without a male chaperone. Today, Taliban forces have largely taken control of the capital, leaving no sanctuary for women from these brutal extremists.

For those heartsick and angered by the devastating news out of Afghanistan, here are two ways you can help girls and women during these dire times:

Women for Afghan Women: This non-profit organization has been fighting for the rights of Afghan women for 20 years. Today, they are trying to help the women’s rights activists they work with throughout the country who are in extreme danger from the Taliban. To support their critical work, you can make a donation at https://amgrl.co/3AJgRwL

CARE: One of the world’s largest humanitarian aid organizations, CARE has a long history of helping people in Afghanistan. In recent weeks, there has been a huge increase in the demand for emergency aid as many families have fled the Taliban. You can support their work in Afghanistan with a donation at https://amgrl.co/3iOeSBp

To see more of Shamsia Hassani’s powerful work, visit her website at https://www.shamsiahassani.net/

For two children’s books about the lives of girls under Taliban rule, we recommend the picture book “Nasreen’s Secret School” for ages 7 to 9 (https://www.amightygirl.com/nasreens-secret-school) and award-winning novel “The Breadwinner” for ages 10 and up (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-breadwinner)