The project, run by the Enfield-based British Afghan Women’s Society, sets out to challenge the negative images of women that often emerges in media reports from Afghanistan. It will show the widespread proactive involvement of Afghan women settled in the UK in helping their own and other refugee communities.

Beginning its research from the 1970s the project will gather information from those involved in various periods of immigration to the UK by studying their range of experiences and efforts to integrate with their host communities.

Volunteer-led interviews will record the memories of settlers and will create a written, oral and visual history of Afghans in Britain. Working with Enfield Museums service the organisers will also create an exhibition to be shown in 2013 in Enfield and then in the borough of Brent. Information gathered through the project will also be added to the British Afghan Women’s Society website.

For the Heritage Lottery Fund Sue Bowers, Head of HLF London, said: “This is the first project to explore the story of women from Afghanistan and how they have worked to help settle their community in the UK. It will provide a valuable resource for education and research purposes as well as giving the wider community an appreciation of the difficulties they have faced and of their achievements.”

For the British Afghan Women’s Society, Zarghona Rassa, said: “Thanks to funding from the HLF, the British Afghan Women will now have an opportunity to tell their own stories, from their perspective and through their personal experiences for the very first time.

Our stories will undoubtedly break the many negative stereotypes about Afghan women and will reveal their true identity”.

Further information

Vicky Wilford, HLF Press Office on 020 7591 6046 / 07973 401 937 or vickyw@hlf.org.uk or Phil Cooper on 07889 949 173.

Zarghona Rassa, British Afghan Women’s Society on 07956 471 078. 

Notes to editors

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK.