Women’s Day in Afghanistan

Besides the Teachers’ Day, the Women’s Day is the only celebration in Afghanistan that
women are allowed to and actually do mark.

This year March 8 was a day off, so the Women’s Day celebration was held on Thursday,
March 7. As a sign of respect, Mohammad Sultan Ebadi, the governor of Baghlan Province
offered his own conference room inside the governor’s office as the venue of the daylong
program.

In his speech, the governor stressed that women and men are human beings alike, so they
should have equal rights, yet women deserve much more appreciation because they give birth
to children and keep families together while working hard more and more.

The CIMIC officer responsible for women’s affairs in the 13th rotation of the HDF Provincial
Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT-13) delivered a speech, in which he said thanks for the joint
conscientious work done during the past six and a half years.

The presentation of tokens of appreciation came after the speeches. The PRT presented the
ladies with traditional shawls, which were distributed by the staff members of the Women’s
Affairs Office.

Following the event, the PRT handed over a room for the just starting sewing course equipped
with the necessary items such as sewing machines and textiles. Each course provides
altogether 30 women with opportunity to learn the basics of sewing, which is often the only
way for women to make a living.