Hello I am Eva Kearney, a northern irish musician and I want to let you know...
that right now music is banned by the regime in Afghanistan. girls are not allowed to go to school and women have no rights, not even the right to speak in public. Violence against women and girls is encouraged by the regime and child girls for sale into marriage is a growing industry.
Belfast was awarded UNESCO City of Music status three months after the Taliban took control of Kabul and banned music.
I am inviting my fellow musicians and bands to sign this charter agreeing to reference Afghan women by dedicating a song in your set list and informing the audience why you are dedicating the song in solidarity with your sisters in Afghanistan.
For so many of us, music is our sanctuary and helps us navigate through life. I can not imagine living in a world with no music and people are punished if caught listening to or playing music.
Having collaborated with Afghan songwriter Zarifa, I have gained a real insight into the world of women and girls in Afghanistan having all their rights taken away. It is truely heartbreaking.
So let us counteract this brutal regimes efforts to silence women and girls and play our songs in solidarity representing our Afghan sisters on stage with the freedom to choose and play the music we love.
A T-Shirt campaign has also been launched if you choose to wear one also. https://beyondskin.theshopstore.co.uk
This charter will be updated and publicly visible listing all musicians and bands supporting this initiative
Please write your name / band name below if you wish to support.
More information about the links between Afghanistan and our wee home here.
www.beyondskin.net/afghanistan