Martine van Bijlert

Writer, photographer, researcher. Co-founder of the Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN).

[Fereshta Kazemi @FereshtaKazemi]

“Because the exclusion of women from public life affects everyone. It can disrupt families, fray communities & undermine both men & women.”— via @AANafgh by @mvbijlert

[Kate Clark @KateClark66]

Fascinating new report on what #Afghan men think of IEA restrictions on women and girls. The anguish at daughters and sisters being shut out of education expressed by even the most pro-Taleban interviewees is one of the highlights.
@mvbijlert
https://t.co/y7L0pxyAEl

[AAN Afghanistan @AANafgh]

“'I knew better how to talk about peace, before I worked in peace building,” writes @mvbijlert in the foreword to a collection of poems about peace, reviewed by @roxbox2. The collection is one of our recommended reads.
https://t.co/Ul4FWItI9i

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

@ChristineRoehrs Thanks, enjoy your Christmas over there

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

I'm not good at telling people, but my book came out and it's worth your time: PEACE PEACE THEY SAY.
A collection of poems that tried to be about peace but kept turning to war. "Intimate, meditative, piercing." Available at all major online stores.
Let me know what you think

[Ali Adili @ali_adili]

The 4 excuses for barring girls from universities (not observing hijab, mixed classes, spending nights in other dorms & traveling without mahram) remind us of Rumi's poem:
"The fool's excuse is worse than his crime..." #Afghanistan
"عذر احمق، بدتر از جرمش بود"

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

@poetbynecessity @tinywrenlit @cjsarett @diefunnier @NolchaF (Of course I googled the Human Fund, glad I did). It's a lovely issue and great company to be in! Thank you all

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

@poetbynecessity @BooksFemme @tinyspoonlitmag @DenverQuarterly Congratulations! You’re on a roll 💫

[AAN Afghanistan @AANafgh]

"Francesc was a different breed: the kind of diplomacy he stood for was principled, engaged and empathic."
Our obituary for Francesc Vendrell. As UN Envoy 2000-01 and EU Envoy 2002-08 to Afghanistan, he was a seeker of peace, a defender of human rights. https://t.co/2xhbNNozsi

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

An outspoken diplomat who cared - about people, principles and peace. Part of Afghanistan's history. A mentor and a warm friend. We will miss him. I will miss him.

[AAN Afghanistan @AANafgh]

The wonderful chair of AAN's Advisory Board, Francesc Vendrell, has died. Envoy for the UN 2000-01 and EU 2002-08, Francesc was far-sighted and practical, a seeker of peace and defender of human rights. We were proud to be associated with him and mourn his loss. Obituary to come.

[AAN Afghanistan @AANafgh]

The wonderful chair of AAN's Advisory Board, Francesc Vendrell, has died. Envoy for the UN 2000-01 and EU 2002-08, Francesc was far-sighted and practical, a seeker of peace and defender of human rights. We were proud to be associated with him and mourn his loss. Obituary to come.

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

Living in a Collapsed Economy (4): The desperation and guilt of giving a young daughter in marriage

AAN's @AliSabawoon1 spoke to four fathers who never thought they'd do such a thing and found themselves no better off than before they did it https://t.co/gxlJNUhc7k

[AAN Afghanistan @AANafgh]

“I really made a blunder. I married my underage daughter because of poverty and now I still remain in poverty.”

AAN's new report: Living in a Collapsed Economy (4): The desperation and guilt of giving a young daughter in marriage https://t.co/kl9cFxJFEA

[Roxanna Shapour @roxbox2]

I will never forget the early hours and then days following the Taliban takeover. This AAN dossier is a great step by step account of what happened.

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

@poetbynecessity Amazing! Onwards

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

@itsdbouts Mine are recent: Kerning, The Dewdrop and Otis Nebula / Hole in the Head Review

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

In @AANafgh's latest economic reporting we listen to what Afghans across the country told us about the food aid that's arriving in their communities. We found gratitude and relief, allegations of favouritism and misdirection, and concerns over the future. https://t.co/GkgxiUyccP

[AAN Afghanistan @AANafgh]

Older Afghan girls continue to be shut out of education but how do the Taleban view schooling for their own daughters? AAN’s three-part series on the Taleban and education looks at the current picture of schooling and how and why Taleban attitudes to education have changed. [1/4]

[Ashley Jackson @a_a_jackson]

Must read -- nuanced and timely piece from @AANafgh on how ordinary Afghans are navigating an impossible situation

[Martine van Bijlert @mvbijlert]

Living in a Collapsed Economy (3): How people are surviving winter - new research by @AANafgh https://t.co/quLgcRKzYS

[Masuda Sultan @MasudaSultan]

The conversations were frank and often poignant and showed how the economic collapse has affected practically everyone, whether they had previously been wealthy, middle class or poor and already living precarious lives.

[Kate Clark @KateClark66]

Important research from @AANafgh. The stories of how the economic disaster in Afghanistan is hitting households are heartbreaking. But, my goodness, what courage and determination people are showing to try to get by - and help others.