Program to Explore Abuses in Afghanistan

Mavis Leno, wife of “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, will chair a March 29 program at the Directors Guild of America that aims to shed light on human rights abuses against women in Afghanistan.

The event--to be written, directed and produced by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason--aims to bring exposure to what organizers call a system of “gender apartheid” by the ruling Taliban regime.

A number of female celebrities are scheduled to take part in the event, including Gillian Anderson, Melanie Griffith, Natalie Cole, Laura Dern, Melissa Etheridge, Kathy Bates, Sally Field, Anjelica Huston, Julianna Margulies, Cybill Shepherd, Lily Tomlin and Nancy Sinatra.

Tickets to the event are $150 and include a 6:30 p.m. buffet reception preceding the 8 p.m. program.

Information: (323) 651-0495.