The event was sponsored by Greg Hands MP of Hammersmith & Fulham, a brief presentation was given by programme officer and secretary of Afghan Council UK based on the past, present and future of Afghan Women.
Poem read out by Hila Mayvand (Development Manager of Afghan Council UK)
Laura Andrews (University of Hertfordshire Law Student) reads out a touching poem by Afghan female activist- Meena (Rawa).
Captain Victoria Currie and Captain Imogen Verret gave a few words regarding their experience in Afghanistan and were awarded with flowers and gifts by Faqir Mayvand (Director of Afghan Council UK) for their bravery and support shown towards Afghanistan.
Tahmina Weda (University College of London Medical Student) gave a short yet outstanding motivational talk regarding Education. Her talk was influential and powerful which impressed many important personalities present. Her support towards the Afghan Community has enabled young Afghan girls to be more positive in the pathway they choose to undertake.
Sohayla Mohammadi (University of Hertfordshire LLB Law Student) gave a splendid talk regarding Cinema/ Media in Afghanistan. Her talk reached out to many young Afghan women aiming for them to be more positive and brave in pursuing a career in Media.
Many important personalities attended and a panel discussion/ Q&A was held by
Zarghona Rassa – Journalist and Founder of British Afghan Women's Society
(Chair), Cindy Berman - Regional Social Development Adviser (UK Department for International Development),
Horia Mosadiq - Afghanistan Researcher for Amnesty International Secretariat and
Wazhma Frogh - Recipient of the US Secretary of State's Award for International Women of Courage. The event ended with 3 Male management committee members of the Afghan Council UK handing out a red rose to each female that attended the event. Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.
Organizing and participating in this event has been an outstanding experience, one not to be forgotten, the event has been a symbol of coming together and being one regardless of your ethnicity. This was a great opportunity for the Afghan Council UK to promote and raise awareness concerning Afghan Women. We feel honored and privileged to have been given the chance to show the British public as well as many important personalities the underlying beauty of the Afghan Women.
Barin Sultani Haymon and
Mariam Azizi
It raised awareness of the current predicaments that so many Afghan women currently face, negative and positive. We can all come together, women of all races, and ensure that we stand strong, united to get the respect that we deserve. Women can continue to make a mark on the world.
Laura Andrews
After an event such as this, I hope we can reflect on Afghan women’s courage and their progress rather than thinking about women living in oppression in Afghanistan. Working to ensure that Afghan women play an equal role in Afghanistan’s development is not just the necessary thing to do; it’s the right thing to do.
Metra Nasir
I thought the international womens day was an eventful day that taught myself a lot about the afghan community and realistically the life of how it really was for Afghan women and still is for some. Also brought to my attention that to know another cultured person life is not necessarily different to another culture, except their personal background on faith and belief.
Rittu Chaudhary
