Panjshir Women celebrate Mother's Day, reminded to vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2009
By Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs Office
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Nearly 150 women celebrated Mother's Day June 23 with guest speakers and a luncheon at the Astana Guest House in Panjshir province's Bazarak District.
The event, organized by the Panjshir director of women's affairs, featured a series of speakers who highlighted a mother's role in Afghan society. They also talked about the importance of education and offered a reminder to vote in the Aug. 20 presidential and provincial council elections.
A number of influential leaders attended the event, to include Panjshir's governor, a representative from the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Kabul, one of Panjshir's three provincial council members, the Panjshir director of education and a former female Afghan judge.
During his speech, Governor Haji Bahlol credited all of Panjshir's mothers, saying they are the ones who create the province's newest generations.
"I'm calling on our women to be more representative," said Bahlol. "The duty of an educated woman is to teach others."
Former Afghan judge, Rahila, who was recognized as "Panjshir's Woman of the Year" during an International Women's Day event March 8, talked with the women about her role as a working mother and encouraged them to pay attention to the election and campaign process.
"I'm proud of the women here who are running for a position on the provincial council and I offer my support to them," Rahila said.
As a testament to women's advancement in Panjshir, seven local women are competing for three provincial council positions. Once elected, they serve four years and help determine the provincial development objectives of the government in areas such as economic, social, health, education and reconstruction.
Following the speeches, the women continued conversing with one another and enjoyed a traditional Afghan lunch of pilau, a rice dish made with raisins and carrots.
"One of the highlights of this deployment has been attending events like this Mother's Day celebration where I've had the chance to interact with Panjshir's women," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Stacie Shafran, a member of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, who has served a mentor for Panjshir's women. "During my time in Afghanistan, whether I've talked to mothers, professional women or school girls I've learned that they are all striving for a successful, brighter future."