Vera House Responds to Taliban's Takeover in Afghanistan

We’ve been closely following the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan. We are devastated by what it means for women, girls and activists across the country.

On Aug. 20, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, Syracuse City Mayor Ben Walsh and other local leaders issued a letter to President Biden that welcomed Afghan refugees to our area. Our staff are continuing to monitor the crisis and discussing how we can prepare to serve Afghan victims and survivors.

As the crisis has unfolded, many Afghan women have spoken out at great peril to themselves and their loved ones. We must listen to them and lift up their voices. Here are some essays and interviews we recommend:

Malala: I Survived the Taliban. I Fear for My Afghan Sisters by Malala Yousafzai.
My Taliban nightmare came true. I left, but my sister couldn’t by Nasrin Nawa.
Afghan Women On What's At Stake For Women In Afghanistan. Interviews with Mahbouba Seraj, Sahar Halaimzai, Samira Hamidi and Rina Amiri.
As Afghan women see shrinking public spaces, one activist reveals how the world can help. Interview with Pashtana Durrani.
In a changed Kabul, beatings, fear and hiding as women's rights activists try to escape the Taliban by Chelsey Cox, Rick Rouan and Luciana Lopez.

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A Message to Andrew Cuomo

“The Friends of Andrew Cuomo” spent over $300,000 to launch an ad campaign designed to paint former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as a victim of political attacks because of the sexual harassment claims against him. We cannot allow this gaslighting to continue while the ad revictimizes victims of not only Cuomo’s sexual harassment but ANYONE who has ever experienced abuse. The tactics used by Cuomo and his supporters further represent the barriers that survivors face every day that prevent them from coming forward and getting support.

We at Vera House have asked Andrew Cuomo to take accountability for the harm he has caused on multiple occasions. Instead of admitting to his wrongdoings, he continues to use power and control to suppress and invalidate the truths of the survivors. Today we released a video, produced by Solon Quinn Studios and supported by Survivors’ Network, that sends a powerful message to survivors, "I believe you."

We are asking you to help us amplify the video so that survivors throughout New York and the rest of the world know that we believe and stand with them.

Here’s how to get involved:

1. Share our post on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter

2. Engage with our content on Instagram and TikTok

3. Share survivor support resources from your organization

4. Tag @verahouseinc

For any questions or to request an interview with a member of Survivors' Network, please contact us at: communications@verahouse.org