
By donating to RAILS today, you will help women and children like Mariyam and Zainab*.
Mariyam was born in Afghanistan, one of the world’s most dangerous countries to be a woman.
She was married as a child to a man she did not know. For years, she suffered violence and abuse. A year ago, Zainab, Mariyam's 9 year old daughter, was to be married for the price of a dowry. Mariyam couldn't bear this thought. She took her daughter and fled the village for their life.
RAILS has assisted Mariyam and Zainab to make an application for a refugee visa, but their legal process has only just started. After coming so far, there is a risk that they will lose it all if they don't receive expert legal assistance through the next steps. 9 year old Zainab will be taken away from her mother to be married to a man four times her age. Mariyam's life will be in grave danger.
You can provide Mariyam with the expert legal assistance she needs. Your donation will give her the best chance at making her case in front of immigration authorities so that she and her daughter can stay in Australia free from fear. For a limited time only, your donation will be matched by prominent human rights barrister Stephen Keim SC, Denise Keim and another generous supporter of RAILS, so your generosity will go twice as far.
*As Mariyam and Zainab’s legal battle for protection in Australia is ongoing, we have taken steps to protect their identities by changing their names. For the same reason, some aspects of their story have been combined with those of other clients in similar circumstances, ensuring that what you read here doesn’t put these families at risk. Thank you for your understanding and support.
** If you have found this content distressing and need support, reach out for help. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
** If you have found this content distressing and need support, reach out for help. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14.