As every year, the arrival of March 8 (International Women’s Day) invites us to reflect on the achievements reached and the challenges that still persist in the struggle for equality between men and women. For Netwomening, this date is also the setting for a meeting that has already become traditional: our annual visit with the representatives of Alnylam, a key sponsor that has been walking alongside us for four years.
This event was a precious opportunity to put words and faces to the processes that we at Netwomening sustain day by day. And as they rightly pointed out at Alnylam, Netwomening has become a fundamental “travel companion” organisation for many Afghan women, helping to build a path of solidarity to ease the weight of the backpacks of pain and uprooting that they bring with them when they arrive in Spain.
From crisis to consolidation
During the meeting, Kath Benites, responsible for project management at Netwomening, recalled the history of the creation of Netwomening: what began as a response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the fall of Kabul into the hands of the Taliban after the withdrawal of the U.S. six years ago, has transformed into a solid structure, with a large network of professionals and people of exceptional sensitivity collaborating to carry forward 8 comprehensive support programs. The impact of this network speaks for itself:
- In 2025, more than 160 Afghan women joined our programs, adding up to a total of 472 sponsored women and their families who are accompanied by Netwomening.
- Solidarity among the volunteers has also grown exponentially: 514 people make up this network, dedicated to offering effective support to navigate the process of migratory grief.
This solidarity, coming mainly from women, allows the Phase 0 Accompaniment Plan and the network of sponsors to continue being the heart of the organisation, ensuring that no woman feels alone when landing in an unknown reality.
Taking care of mental health: the new psychology program
One of the great new developments has been the consolidation of the Psychological Support Program, currently coordinated by Ximena Hoffman Villamil. This department arises from the need to cover the gap in specialised care for refugee women after their departure from the official reception system.
What started with a volunteer psychologist offering two hours of weekly care is today a team of three that offers an approach with a gender perspective and sensitivity to cultural diversity, fundamental for accompanying the process of rebuilding identity and creating emotional well-being among women who have left everything behind.
Sahar: a year of learning and resistance
The most emotional moment of the meeting was led by Sahar Zainab Mousavi, a sponsored woman at Netwomening for one year. Upon her arrival, Sahar only spoke English and the uncertainty of daily life made her want to return to her country. Today, Sahar speaks fluent Spanish and is capable of sharing reflections on her life reality and future perspectives with optimism.
Although the current geopolitical situation of both Afghanistan (attacked by Pakistan at the end of February) and Iran (where her mother and sisters live) weighs on daily life, Sahar showed herself to be empowered, emphasizing the importance of weaving a network of support and solidarity:
“I cannot say that I am fully happy yet, but I am calmer. Now I have a home, a job, friends thanks to Netwomening and, above all, a new perspective on the violence that women suffer. I have learned that women should not be alone; we have to take care of each other.”
Sahar, who is currently preparing a short film about her father’s life in exile, left a message of hope for those who have just arrived: “You are not alone, you can find friends here.”
Writer: Agatha Gaweda
