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FARAH, Afghanistan — Celebrated since 1911, International Women's Day is a global day to commemorate the economic, political, and social achievements of women of yesterday and today.
In Farah City of Western Afghanistan, the women went all out. Over 600 Afghan women attended a celebration hosted by Provincial Gov. Rahool Amin. The stage was adorned with handicrafts made by local women and photos of Afghan women, taken by Afghan women, making the first-ever photo gallery in Farah.
Among the many speakers for the event, the Farah Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Lawrence Vasquez, started his speech by asking for a round of applause for the women in the audience. The PRT also provided gifts for many of the women, which were distributed to the crowd by members of the Farah Provincial Council.
"I ask every man in today's gathering to be thankful towards their mothers, their wives, and their daughters," said Amin. "Women are an indispensable part of human society and therefore they should be given equal rights."
Amin pleaded with the women present to be strong, to not give up, and to not give in to poverty, drug abuse, or other intra-family problems as they continue to fight for their rights.
The program included songs praising mothers and women sung by seventh-grade female students from the only private school in Farah, Cosar. There was also a short comedy skit that portrayed Afghan family life, which was acted out by male performers from the Department of Information and Culture, as women are not allowed to act in this part of Western Afghanistan.
The 20 photos of local women and girls on display were taken by four Afghan women who belong to the Farah Afghan Women's Photography Club. The club is personally financed by two International Security Assistance Force journalists assigned to Forward Operating Base Farah who meet with the club regularly to teach them camera skills and composition techniques.
During the Women's Day Celebration, the audience was asked to vote for their favorite photo. The winning image, taken by Lida, was announced by the governor who rewarded Lida for her efforts with a hand-crafted rug.
Perhaps the most anticipated portion of the celebration was the tug-of-war competition between female American military members and Afghan women. Not out-matched by spirit, the Afghan women emerged victorious and the audience cheered. The American uniformed women picked themselves up with huge smiles on their faces, while the Afghan women gathered their stray shoes and hugged their opponents.
Liloma Sadiqi, the Farah Women's Affairs director for the past eight years, was pleased that the event was held at the governor's compound this year. She encouraged all Afghan women to be united together and fight for their rights and an environment of democracy.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2010 03:59 |
| Story ID: | 46723 |
| Location: | FARAH CITY, AF |
| Web Views: | 156 |
| Downloads: | 95 |
This work, International Women's Day celebrated in Farah, by MSgt Tracy DeMarco, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
