Government of Canada Marks International Women's Week by Announcing Funding to Support Women in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, March 5, 2009 – As part of International Women's Week, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation and the Vice-Chair of Canada’s Cabinet Committee on Afghanistan, announced today Canada's support for War Child Canada’s efforts to help Afghan women and their families. War Child Canada will provide women improved access to basic services and encourage their participation in the local economy.

International Women’s Week is a time to reflect on and encourage the belief that increasing women’s participation in and access to leadership roles and opportunities will help women thrive in Canada and around the world.

“I am proud of the progress we have made to advance the rights of women in Afghanistan and the increased opportunities they now have to greater literacy, education and health care despite the serious challenges they face,” said Minister Oda. “Their own determination for a better life for themselves and their families must be supported. This project will mean that their determination will be aided by the work of War Child Canada.”

War Child Canada, founded by the internationally recognized Dr. Samantha Nutt, is an award-winning organization that works with children whose lives have been devastated by war.

Canada’s contribution to War Child Canada’s Afghan Women’s Community Support Project (AWCSP), through the Canadian International Development Agency, will be approximately $2 million to 2010. The project will provide Afghan women with the training and support services necessary so they can become contributing members of the local economy. Following their training, the participating women will also be provided with small loans and ongoing professional and peer support to enable them to launch their own small businesses.

“Through initiatives such as these, Canada's Overseas Development Assistance is working to break the cycle of poverty, violence and human rights abuses that has threatened the health and well-being of women and children in Afghanistan for far too long,” said Dr. Nutt. “CIDA's current support will greatly enhance our work in the region with local women's organizations and builds upon a highly successful program begun by War Child Canada in Afghanistan in 2003 with support from the Government of Canada. It is an investment that Canadians can be proud of, the impact of which will continue to be felt over generations”.

Building the capacity of the Government of Afghanistan to deliver basic services to its citizens was recently identified in the Government of Canada’s Third Quarterly Report on Afghanistan as one of Canada’s most urgent priorities. This includes increased access to education, jobs and health care, especially for women and girls.

Also on display at today’s announcement was a photography and poetry exhibit entitled, Through Our Eyes. This exhibit was developed by Alaina Podmorow, a 12-year-old student from Kelowna, B.C. and founder of the organization Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan, which raises funds to pay the salaries of teachers in Afghanistan.

In January 2009, Alaina wrote to Minister Oda offering to bring her photo exhibit to Ottawa, and, as a result, the exhibit will be on display in the CIDA Lobby at 200 Promenade du Portage, Gatineau, Quebec, until March 6, 2009.

“Alaina is an inspiring example that no matter your age, young Canadian women can make a real difference in the futures of girls growing up in Afghanistan,” said Minister Oda.

For more information on War Child Canada, please visit: http://www.warchild.ca/

For more information on Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan, please visit: http://www.littlewomenforlittlewomen.com/

For more information and to subscribe to regular updates regarding Canada's engagement in Afghanistan, please visit www.afghanistan.gc.ca.

– 30 –

Backgrounder: Canada Marks International Women’s Week by Announcing Funding to Support Afghan Women and Girls

Information:

Michelle Coates
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca