Trauma Treatment International has launched a £2,500 Crowdfunder campaign to provide specialist support to displaced Afghan women judges and lawyers.

A huge amount of work by the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute has gone into enabling over 200 female judges and lawyers to escape from Afghanistan since the Taliban took hold of the country in August 2021.

Even having left the country, their work makes them a high target of Taliban retribution, with many having received personal phone calls from the Taliban and associated members. Meanwhile, their extended families in Afghanistan continue to live in daily fear.

“A dark future is awaiting everyone in Afghanistan, especially female judges,” said Nabila, a journalist talking to the New York Times.

With these judges and lawyers having long stood up for women's rights in domestic violence, custody and divorce cases, it is now our duty to STAND UP for them.

Many of the women are still refugees, working through immigration processes in Greece. Others are starting to build new lives in Ireland, the UK, Canada, Brazil and Australia, struggling to look after their families, having lost everything including social standing, community and cultural connections.

The trauma caused by their experiences is profound. Many are already showing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression.

However, with early access to evidence-based assessment and treatment, they can be helped to manage their mental health and recover from the traumatic experiences they have endured. With the right support, they can rebuild their resilience and lead happy, fulfilled lives.

TTI will partner with organisations working to help these remarkable women in the UK and around the world, and ensure that mental health support is embedded into resettlement programmes from the beginning. With access to timely treatment, these women will be able to recover their resilience and continue to fight for justice in the world.

We must act now to help these women cope with the symptoms of trauma and find their paths to recovery.

Here is an idea of how your donations will make a difference:

£15 A translator for one hour to support a therapy session

£100 A PTSD assessment and treatment plan for one woman

£150 A group session for 15 women

£500 Training for support staff to help them become trauma-informed

£1200 A full treatment for PTSD for one woman

"The international community should take the struggles of working women seriously and support us, so we don't become the victims of history,” Masouma, a public prosecutor and one of the many Afghan lawyers now in hiding, told the BBC.

To donate to the campaign, click here.