AFGHAN refugees, including a doctor who fled the country following the Taliban takeover in August and a former interpreter, will be among the speakers at an online lecture in Belfast next month.
Dr Sima Nazari, a specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology who now has refugee status in Ireland, will address the inaugural Mary Ann McCracken Foundation lecture on November 18.
Dr Nazari, who was born in Kabul and mainly educated in Iran, is from the Hazara ethnic minority.
Her family were forced to leave Afghanistan in 2011 due to security threats and were accepted as refugees in Germany.
However, Dr Nazari stayed in the country to support the struggle for Afghan women’s rights until she was forced to leave in August.
The lecture aims to focus on the challenges facing Afghan women following the Taliban takeover.
Bilal Nasiri, an Afghan national fluent in six languages who served as cultural advisor and interpreter for British forces in Afghanistan from 2009 until 2014, will also address the lecture.
Mr Nasiri led a team of 40 interpreters but was forced to move to Australia at the end of 2014 when British troops withdrew from Afghanistan.
Over the past few months he has worked to secure safe passage for many vulnerable Afghans, including his family who were threatened by the Taliban.
The lecture will also hear from Sara, whose family were targeted by the Taliban.
Sara fled Afghanistan at the age of six and, having recently graduated in politics and international relations, is now working to help families in her home country as well as supporting Afghan nationals in London.
The Mary Ann McCracken Foundation aims to promote the work of the renowned Belfast anti-slavery and social justice campaigner.
Norma Sinte, chair of the foundation, said its work "and the main objective of hosting events such as this annual lecture, is very much influenced by the passions and work of Mary Ann, over 200 years ago".
"We want to protect her legacy by continuing to support education, to prevent and relieve poverty, to advance human rights and promote equality, particularly of women," she said.
"It is very fitting, and also hugely humbling, that our first lecture highlights the experience of women in Afghanistan.
"We are privileged to include contributions from women who have fled Kabul to come to the UK and Ireland to seek refuge."
The event will also hear from organisations in Northern Ireland who provide services for asylum seekers and refugees.
All funds raised by the lecture will support these services.
To book tickets for the online event visit www.cliftonbelfast.com
