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Sisters On the Bridge of Fire,
One Woman's Journeys in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan,
a book by Debra Denker
One of the first women journalists to travel freely with the Afghan mujahedeen during the Soviet occupation in the late 1970's and early 1980's, Denker, a freelance writer and photographer, exchanged the safety and comfort of her Southern California home for a world "On the Bridge of Fire" to find powerful family and spiritual bonds with a people and culture torn apart by war.
Debra Denker spent months based at Fatana's and her husband, Ishaq's house after first meeting them in the summer of 1982. She later wrote a book, Sisters on the Bridge of Fire: One Woman's Journey in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan which has a lot about Fatana and Ishaq in it. It's just been reprinted by Schaffner Press. She also based a character in her as yet unpublished novel, War in the Land of Cain, on Fatana.
Denker is also widely respected for authoring the now-famous 1985 National Geographic cover story.
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Who We Are
Fatana Gailani, Founder, Afghanistan Women Council
Ms. Fatana Said Gailani, who comes from an influential family of Kabul, has become one of the most prominent advocates of Afghan women's rights. After she sought refuge in Pakistan in late 1978 due to her opposition to the Communist regime of Noor Mohammad Tarraki, she began her humanitarian work in 1980 by providing medical assistance for Afghan refugees. Mrs. Gailani founded the Afghanistan Women Council (AWC) in 1986 and started its activities for human rights, women's rights, children's rights and peace building in 1993. The main objective of the organization is to enlighten women, improve their living conditions, and strengthen their socio-economic status in society by their multi-lateral involvement in developmental activities.
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What We Do
AWC runs the Ariana School, the Mother and Child Health Clinic in Peshawar, which provides education and medical care to refugee families, and the Nazo AnaClinic, a 20-bed hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, that kept its doors open throughout all five years of the Taliban regime. AWC also manages humanitarian relief efforts for newly-arrived refugees and publishes the monthly journal, Zan-e-Afghan (Aghan Women) to mobilize women to bring peace and stability to the country. AWC creates and administers innovative projects such as trade training, literacy, health kit disbursement, and TBA training. AWC also strives to provide a voice for women through political representation in the new government.
Read More
Learn more about our Micro-Finance Program and read amazing stories of transformation from women who have received a loan.
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Latest News
Graduation Ceremony in Kabul Dec. 21, 2010
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