You Are Not Alone, a year in review

Last year, we wrote You Are Not Alone, a book for survivors of violence in Afghanistan and around the world. With the overwhelming support of generous individuals around the world, we were able to publish 2000 copies of the book in Pashtu and Persian. We also made it available online.

Since then, the book has been downloaded in local languages nearly 1500 times, more than 80 English copies have been bought to support our work, and hundreds of copies have been distributed in Kabul, Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, Herat, Daikundi, and most recently, Khost provinces. We regularly hear from women in Afghanistan and the diaspora about how the book has helped them rediscover their courage and voice.

Here are some of the comments we’ve received from our members, writers, and readers.

“You Are Not Alone took me to my childhood. I remembered the time our neighbor secretly told my mom about the possibility of her husband raping their little daughter and cried. Back then, I didn’t know anything about violence, but my whole body was burning. I wanted to punish him. I wish I had this book back then. You Are Not Alone is a window for hope for all the women who are facing violence and abuse at home and in society. It allows us to recognize violence. The language is accessible and friendly, but not devoid of depth,” Shabana Stanekzai, one of our members in Kabul, wrote after reading the book.

Another member of our team in Kabul, Frozan Sarwary wrote: “I believe every woman should read this book at least once. It teaches you valuable lessons about violence and how to free ourselves from it. Many of the women around me don’t know that they have options and they can leave abusive marriages. This book can help them when they’re ready to do so. It lets them know that they don’t have to tolerate violence and oppression.”

One of our readers wrote us with another inspiring message: “I read You Are Not Alone and shared it with seven of my friends. Each of them has loved the book and [by reading it] truly felt that they are not alone.”

Another reader from Mazar-e-Sharif wrote us: “Your book taught me that violence is not love, jealousy is not love, and wanting ownership over someone else is not love. Love is about respect.”

As we close out 2018, we will be thinking creatively about how to use our book as a tool to spark conversation and debate, raise awareness, and contribute to ending violence against women in Afghanistan and around the world. In 2019, we hope to make our book accessible to more women, especially those in rural areas who do not have access to the internet. We are also exploring the production of an audio book to make this resource accessible to women who are unable to read.

None of this would’ve been possible without your contribution and support. Thank you all for reading our literature, amplifying our voices, donating to our work, and having our back. We’re forever grateful. Here is to another year of global sisterhood and solidarity in the face of patriarchy.