SUCCESSFUL WOMEN'S DAY EVENTS HELD ACROSS AFGHANISTAN

UNCLAS KABUL 000625

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TAGS: PHUM PGOV AF

SUBJECT: SUCCESSFUL WOMEN'S DAY EVENTS HELD ACROSS AFGHANISTAN


1. In honor of International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8, many of
Afghanistan's provincial governors hosted events focused on the role
of women in Afghan society. Activities included speeches by
prominent politicians and women, roundtable discussions, handicraft
fairs, choral performances, youth theater, and the provision of
humanitarian assistance. Speakers generally highlighted themes of
education, work opportunities, and legal rights and protections for
women and girls. Both male and female participants emphasized the
Quran's grant of rights to women, which has been perverted by some
to the detriment of women, but some of the male speakers also
emphasized the need to preserve the traditional role of women in the
household. In many cases, attendance at events was higher than
anticipated and the gatherings sparked enthusiasm and renewed
commitments by participants to support opportunities for women and
girls. There were no reports of violence or security incidents to
mar the activities, and PRTs reported positive coverage by local
media.


2. In Kabul, the Parliament, UNAMA, the Ministry of Women's Affairs,
political parties, civic organizations, and the EMBASSY hosted IWD
celebrations, each attended by 500-1000 women. During the Afghan
Republican Party-hosted celebration, party leader Sebghatullah
Sanjar spoke in support of the 8/20 election date and encouraged
government negotiations with Taliban who would accept the Afghan
constitution. The leader of the National Journalists Union of
Afghanistan (NJUA),M. Hashem Esmatullahi, told 500 female
journalists, authors, and students attending the NJUA event that
independent journalists will play an essential role in guaranteeing
the integrity of the electoral process. Ambassador Wood and
Minister of Women's Affairs Ghazanfar spoke at the Embassy's event
which also included a performance by former Afghan Star contestant,
Elaha.


3. Highlights of the activities across the nation included:
-- More than 600 women gathered in Uruzgan Province, and the event's
opening roundtable entitled "Progress for Women is Progress for All"
brought together both men and women in this highly conservative
province despite earlier predictions that men would not attend the
event.
-- Large gatherings of men and women were held at different venues
in Herat Province. Activities included a mix of speeches, poetry
and sports contests, exhibition of crafts, Quran recitations, prayer
services, and distribution of food to impoverished women and those
in women's hospitals and prisons.
-- More than 500 women gathered at the Helmand Provincial Council
Hall and, in keeping with the rights granted through Islam and the
Afghan Constitution, were encouraged by the Deputy Governor to seek
an official Government position.
-- Kapisa's governor Abu Baker pressed women to educate their
daughters all the way through high school and railed against the
practice of giving young daughters away for marriage, but tempered
those comments with a more traditional message on the role of women
in the home.
-- In Badghis Province, activities were held throughout the week, to
include radio interviews, an event hosted by the Governor that
brought together about 150 participants, and a handicraft fair.
-- With the theme "Men and Women Uniting for Afghan Women's Rights",
more than 150 women and several men in Wardak Province participated
in a day of activities hosted by the Governor, to include speeches,
cooking classes, and provision of humanitarian assistance.
-- Paktya Province's event brought together 200 women and about 50
men. Of note, the provincial police chief called for female
volunteers to join the Afghan National Police (ANP) and some women
stood up to answer the call, receiving rousing applause from the
audience.
-- In Paktika Province, 112 women gathered at an event in the
capital city of Sharana.
-- Approximately 300 women and 50 men gathered at a women's shura in
downtown Khost City, which was a well-attended event for the
conservative province.
-- Northern Provinces of Takhar and Kunduz held uncontroversial and
well-attended events, which included participation by the German MFA
Rep for Women's Issues in Kunduz.

WOOD