‘Out of the Closet’ Party, Boston
A huge thank you to those who joined the Boston ‘Out of the Closet’ – A Party by Astin Brown inc. It is exciting to extend our network of clothing swap parties to Boston.
Kara the host, gathered her girlfriends this week to drink bubbles and have fun exchanging their winter clobber. Not only have they made space in their closet for spring dresses! but achieved a goal to edit their seasonal wardrobe and support the global campaign ‘Stopping Violence Against Women, in Pakistan’ . It was hugely successful because 7 girls exchanged 38 pieces of clothing at $US5 a piece and raised $1US190.00 (excluding after party donations)!! 100% directly benefiting the Pakistan NGO, Progressive Womens Association .
The left over wardrobe will be donated to Elizabeth Stone House. A Boston-based organization assisting women in situations of domestic violence and abuse through shelter, prevention and intervention programs’
Enjoy your ‘new’ clothes!
Host your own ‘Out of the Closet’ Party- and you’ll see that its more fun than those relic of the 70’s, Tupperware Parties!
What else we do for this campaign
STOP PRESS: the horror of acid burn victim Nailah Farhat in March 07 Progressive Womens Association Press Release
PROGRESSIVE WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION
# 24, street-38, f/8-1, Islamabad. email:pwaisbd@hotmail.com ph: 2252829
PRESS RELEASE BY
PWA FOR ACID BURNT VICTIM
Naila farhat, aged 17 years now but was 14 when she was viciously thrown acid upon. She is badly burnt and disfigured completely. Once a beautiful girl is totally deformed, she has completely lost her one eye and one ear. Naila is a resident of Layyah, nine hours drive from Islamabad, located in Sindh, two hours after Multan city.
She had acid thrown upon her by a school teacher, after an successful molestation and rape attempt on her. This beastly incident occurred on 14th August 2003, after successful celebrations of Pakistan day, she was returning home with her younger brother and class fellows. The citizens of Pakistan were celebrating their freedom while this innocent soul was debilitated !!!
An FIR was registered under section 324/334 and 336/34 , TWO culprits were arrested, unfortunately teacher Mazhar the main culprit, the planner - was set free without any punishment. The father of the victim was offered Rs.100, 000 in compensation if he withdrew the case, the Police was bribed to dismiss the case.
Naila came to PWA in 2004 June, surgeries were not advised due to intense hot weather at that time, but media follow-ups by PWA, created pressure and the case was decided in June 2005 ….. Arshaad the culprit was punished for 12 years and a compensation of Rs.12,00,000 Lac was ordered to be given to Naila - the accused.
To date, March 2007, not a single penny is released even on the court orders, now PWA is on for the case to get her the amount ordered and is requesting organizations to get this innocent girl the cosmetic surgery required.( in 2006 Naila’s mother was sick so she could not come )
The Progressive Women’s Association (PWA), demands from the Government that
1…The main culprit has to be caught again and given the due punishment
2…necessary arrangements should be made for the treatment of the girl……she needs a lot of compensation…….psychological, social. and financial.
3. PWA demands ‘Legislation on domestic and social violence on women’, laws to protect women from acid and fire burning…..and a complete ban on acid selling
Shahnaz Bokhari( sitara-i-imtiaz)
chair person PWA.