BROKEN SYSTEMS
By Zahra Wakilzada
In the name of peace
Which is kept in a cage since birth.
A side for the plate of food
Which is never served at my table.
In the name of earth
That forbids peace in the neighborhood
Where the gown of justice never fits my people.
The heart is protesting for the sore mind
Who is puzzled by bloodbaths in every corner.
Shame on the world of broken systems
Which swallows too much of humanity
Only to vomit broken persons
Whose search for glue will end in coffins.
This short film documentary highlights the work of Zahra Wakilzada's activism and experience as an Afghan-American, and how allies can best support her efforts to make positive change as an Afghan woman in diaspora.
Zahra Wakilzada is a junior in the School of Foreign Service majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Law, Ethics and Institutions and is double minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies and Diplomatic Studies. As a young refugee whose life has been shaped by the policy field, Zahra’s interest lies at the intersection of public service, gender and diplomacy, particularly focused on how inclusive gender spaces can lead to sustainable peace across nations. She hopes to pursue an internship in the field of diplomacy in the upcoming summer to learn effective communication and political skills for peace-building.
Upon the fall of her province in the hands of Tal*ban, a couple of Zahra's family members, who were advocating for women survivors of violence became the target of the Tal*ban. Their office was immediately attacked & bombed leaving women in the shelter without a home. Further, my family members who worked directly with the NGOs were supposed to be evacuated, but they were sent a last-minute message by their supervisor to head back to their home bc “you’re all by your own now!”
Click here to support the activists in her 15 family members (primarily women and activists and their families). Every application is nearly $600 and I need to pay for their lawyers, tickets, hotels as well. Any amount over the need will directly go to their basic need upon their arrival like food, clothes as well as education.
Photo by Katherine Salvador