MP Cheryl Gallant Recognizes The Struggles Of Afghani Women To Mark International Women’s Day
Ottawa, Ontario - Cheryl Gallant, MP Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, was pleased to mark International Women’s Day in the House of Commons by making a statement recognizing the struggles of the women of Afghanistan to achieve basic human rights that most Canadians take for granted.
Hansard, March 4, 2008. Statements By Members
Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, Conservative):
Mr. Speaker, in the lead-up to International Women's Day, our government is hosting the first ever delegation of Afghan women parliamentarians to Canada. Their role in shaping Afghanistan's future is a symbol of progress and of hope.
These parliamentarians have been invited to Canada to take part in a capacity building program that will address issues including women's rights and the roles women parliamentarians can play on issues relating to nation building, conflict resolution and peace building.
While we as Canadians are doing our part to transform Afghan civil society, it is the people of Afghanistan who will be the agents for real and long term change.
The active participation of Afghan women in Afghanistan's political future shows that their society is changing and that the foundations are being laid for the future.
We are deeply honoured by their visit and we look forward to continued cooperation and exchanges with them and their colleagues.
I hope all members of Parliament will join me in welcoming them to Parliament Hill today.
“Opponents to the NATO mission in Afghanistan do not understand why we are in that country. Development demands security. Unless there is security, there can be no development. In World War I and World War II, there were predecessor parties and movements to today’s opponents to the Afghan mission. Those folks were as reckless and naive as their modern counterparts in assuming that aid workers wearing peace buttons and handing out flowers would make all the problems go away. Historically, these World War II appeasers are mere afterthoughts to our brave soldiers at war. These same opponents make no mention of the rights of women, and I do not think this is a coincidence or an oversight. They gave up any claim to the rights of women when they sided with the reactionary peaceniks at the expense of Afghan women and children who need our support and protection. The Opposition gave up crowing for human rights when it embraced a wilful isolationism that would return women in Afghanistan to executions in soccer stadiums."
"Too many members in the Opposition assume that the Taliban are a ragtag band of primeval warriors. It is easy to think that because their values are so primitive. However, Brigadier General Atkinson answered thoughtfully and echoed many comments by General Hillier recently. He stated that when there is a story printed in the Ottawa Citizen today, no matter what it is, it is being read. We should all ponder that statement when we debate Canada’s mission in Afghanistan,” concluded MP Cheryl Gallant
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
Strong Women, Strong World
International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies.
1908
Great unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.
In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on member states to proclaim a day for women's rights and international peace. Following the United Nations' lead, Canada chose March 8 as International Women's Day.
Every year since 1977, Canadians have marked International Women's Day by celebrating progress toward women's full participation, reflecting on the challenges and barriers that remain, and considering future steps to achieving equality for all women, in all aspects of their lives. International Women's Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the collective power of women - past, present and future.
Over time, International Women's Day has grown into a week-long series of commemorative events and activities across the country. This year, International Women's Week begins on Sunday, March 2, and culminates in International Women's Day celebrations on Saturday, March 8.
We encourage all Canadians - women and men, girls and boys - to promote International Women's Day / International Women's Week
Canada's theme for International Women's Day / International Women's Week 2008 is Strong Women, Strong World.
This theme draws in part from one of the fundamental beliefs underlying the modern women's movement, that "a woman's place in society marks the level of civilization of that society." This refers not only to the empowerment of women as a means to bring about positive and fundamental social change but to the critical roles that women play as leaders, policy-makers, caregivers, educators, and international peacemakers. The theme also draws from the fact that empowered women can, and do, play a fundamental role in current and future efforts to preserve and protect the world's natural environment.
Strong Women, Strong World, makes clear, when we empower women, we secure a brighter future for everyone.
