TOO YOUNG TO WED AND MILES4MIGRANTS
Support Afghan Women and Families with a free flight
Photo by Oriane Zerah
TOO YOUNG TO WED AND MILES4MIGRANTS
PARTNERSHIP AND FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
When the democratic government of Afghanistan fell in August 2021, women who had devoted their lives in service to their country and their communities – politicians, journalists, educators, activists, doctors, members of the judiciary, athletes and artists were all immediately in great danger not only for their prominent roles in society, and significant contributions, but for being and achieving these things as women. So many had to flee to protect their lives and those of their family members, and so many remain in limbo as they continue to seek humanitarian asylum. Prohibited from working while they navigate this complicated and long process, the relief and joy of securing a visa is often met with the stress and uncertainty of how they will be able to pay for the flight.
Most people are unaware of the complicated logistics faced by refugees – the seemingly endless processes involved in relocating while also managing life with few resources, having left so much of their lives behind.
Miles4Migrants provides an essential service in the final stage of their journey. The team is committed to finding a route for every request – regardless of the various restrictions or the timing of departure. Miles4Migrants always books with careful professionalism and a level of kindness, an awareness and care for each individual traveler on their way home. TYTW is so grateful for all they give to families along with each ticket.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to TYTW and M4M for holding our hands and helping us and cooperating with us in a very difficult situation. To be honest, if M4M wouldn't have caught our plane, maybe we wouldn't have come to France."
Fatima*, a TYTW and M4M Evacuee (name changed for privacy reasons), Afghanistan
FATIMA’S STORY
Fatima*, 26, is an Afghan journalist who worked as a high-profile TV anchor for Arzoo TV and Radio, a popular television and news station all throughout Afghanistan.
Since she was a little girl, Fatima has been innately familiar with the systemic obstacles and barriers faced by the women and girls of Afghanistan, leading her to fiercely campaign for women’s rights. Becoming a journalist allowed her to connect with Afghan women and girls, who became supporters cheering her on to continue her campaign.
When Kabul fell in August 2021, Fatima found herself in immediate danger:
“I immediately realized that the Taliban systematically kills, tortures, rapes, or forcibly marries any young female activist who promotes women’s rights in Afghanistan”.
After learning of her situation, Too Young To Wed was able to quickly evacuate Fatima out of Afghanistan to Pakistan, where they worked with her to obtain a French visa. Miles4Migrants generously provided plane tickets to France, which allowed Fatima to relocate without worrying about going into debt.
By donating your unused miles, you can help hundreds of families with stories just like Fatima’s begin new lives free from persecution– protecting countless girls from forced marriage.
REALITIES IN PAKISTAN
For many Afghans, relocation to Pakistan was initially regarded as an interim solution, with the long-term intent to resettle in a third country. But as global attention has faded, many Afghan refugees are still fighting to survive inside Pakistan, and need your help more than ever before. By donating your unused miles today, you can help refugees and asylum seekers inside Pakistan relocate to their final destination– protecting countless girls from forced marriage and other forms of gender based violence.
The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban increased the severity of the humanitarian crisis inside Afghanistan. Rapidly deteriorating economic and humanitarian conditions prompted tens of thousands of Afghans to flee to Pakistan, fearing for their safety and having lost their livelihood prospects. However, the majority of refugee families do not have access to income-generating activities and basic supportive services (health, education, and legal support), which leave children at a severe risk of abuse and exploitation. Girls, in particular, become the most vulnerable to becoming commodities to be sold, as their families’ desperation and lack of access to essential resources places extreme strain on displaced households.