Retired teachers back Afghani girls

Catholic New Times, Nov 16, 2003

TORONTO -- About thirty per cent of young girls in Afghanistan go to school. During the Taliban period, all educated, professional Afghan women were removed from public social roles and forced to remain at home. Although there is a small feminist minority concerned with the education of Afghan girls, the fundamentalist Islamic authorities find reasons to delay the funding of schools for girls.

So Dr. Sima Samar, the only woman on the original governing council, turned to the international aid community for assistance. Teachers earn about $750 (CNT) a year. In Canada, a network out of Calgary, Women for Women in Afghanistan began holding dinners for friends and charging $50 per person to raise money for teachers' salaries for these schools for girls. Fifteen guests provide an annual salary.

In Toronto, a group of retired teachers decided to hold a fundraising dinner for the educational community and anyone else who would like to support this effort. On Thursday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. at The Bright Pearl Restaurant (on Spadina north of Dundas), a 12-course-dinner will be served. Sally Armstrong, Canadian author of Veiled Threat: The Hidden Power of the Women of Afghanistan, editor, journalist, documentary filmmaker, UN ambassador for Afghanistan will speak. Just returned from Afghanistan, she will present an update on recent reconstruction developments. Dinner: $30. Donation with tax receipt: $50.

Contact Peggy at (416) 432-2701