By Sgt. Christopher Harper, ISAF
KABUL, Afghanistan — More than 50 distinguished women from around Afghanistan, to include dignitaries, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and military representatives, gathered at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters here Mar. 7 to acknowledge the struggles of and recommit to expanding the importance of women’s roles in a modern Afghanistan.
The event, hosted by the ISAF Combined Joint Interagency Task Force Shafafiyat, was held in conjunction with International Women’s Day celebrated annually since 1911 on Mar 8 around the world.
“We know how much has been achieved over the past century, from workers rights to female astronauts,” said Italian Maj. Gen. Fredrico Bonato, ISAF general advisor. “International Women’s Day has marked a century of economic, social and cultural achievement of women around the world. And nowhere is this truer than in Afghanistan.”
Progress, mentorship, and connecting and inspiring futures were repeated mantras from the day’s guest speakers.
Special guest speakers, including Safia Saddiqie, an Afghan writer and poet, spoke to the assembled women about empowerment, determination and courage, and the immense value and responsibility Afghan women have in the future of their country. [Poetry was banned under the Taliban, as were women outside the house, without a male relative.]
“What I wanted to say, she said it,” said Afghan National Army Maj. Gen. Khatoll Mohammadzai, a distinguished female and longtime proponent of the role of women in Afghanistan. “She talked about the Afghan soldier and their hard work for this country.”
The assemblage enjoyed socializing, networking and sharing stories with one another during the Shafafiyat catered lunch hour.
Following lunch, the women heard from U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ricky Waddell, CJIATF Shafafiyat commander. Waddell spoke to battling corruption in Afghanistan, one of the main purposes of the Shafafiyat – which translates to “transparency.”
“One of the myths we hear frequently is that Afghanistan is inherently corrupt,” said Waddell. Despite the wars in Afghanistan over the past 30 years, Afghanistan has an even longer history of honor and integrity in its people, he added.
“That is the culture of Afghanistan,” said Waddell.
Waddell encouraged the women to understand their rights under the Afghan constitution. He reminded them that it is imperative to their shared goals to connect themselves to other like-minded individuals and groups.
“Work together to protect, promote and enhance those rights,” he said.
After thanking the Shafafiyat staff for enabling the empowering event, U.S. Air Force Col. Marie Fenton, the director of the Joint Visitors Bureau here, brought the focus back to honoring the brave women of Afghanistan.
“The risks you ladies in this room take every day underscore both your exasperation with the restrictions you face and your commitment to an open, inclusive Afghanistan,” said Fenton. Fenton reminded the women to continue to seek positions of leadership in their communities, governments and businesses.
“Continue to make a difference in the lives of the women around us, as role models, as mentors, and as leaders,” she said.
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