OTTAWA: MARCH 8, 2023:

Today, on International Women’s Day, the Afghan Embassy in Ottawa hosted a virtual event to honor the courage and resilience of women and girls in Afghanistan and to voice our collective support for their rights and aspirations as they continue to struggle for a better future and a better world in the face of many unspeakable challenges.

The event was attended by participants from the Canadian departments, diplomatic community, civil society, humanitarian sector and the Afghan diaspora community.

The speakers included Ambassador Hassan Soroosh; Mrs. Habiba Sarabi, former Minister of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan and former member of Peace Negotiation Team; Ms. Nargis Nehan, former Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan; Dr. Lauryn Oats, Executive Director, Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan; Ms. Adeena Niazi, Executive Director, Afghan Women’s Organization; Ms. Victoria Jahesh, Executive Director, Afghan Women’s Centre of Montreal; Ms. Hally Siddons from the University Women Helping Afghan Women & the Canadian Federation of University Women, Ottawa.

The speakers discussed the tragic human rights situation in Afghanistan and expressed their concern over the increasing repressive policies and measures by the Taliban against women and girls. They stressed the importance of greater support to Afghan women and girls under a united approach and through various advocacy and protection mechanisms and proactive measures.

Ambassador Soroosh expressed his gratefulness to Canada for the previous and ongoing humanitarian, advocacy and resettlement efforts in support of the people of Afghanistan particularly Afghan women and girls and highlighted the significance of sustained collective efforts in this regard. He also extended his appreciation for the excellent work of Afghan, Canadian and international partners in support of Afghan women and newcomers from Afghanistan.

The event was moderated by Ms. Yalda Baktash, Afghan journalist and human rights activist.