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March 8th was the 101st anniversary of the first International Women’s Day, and the Afghan-Canadian Community Centre (ACCC) commemorated the occasion in style. Students and teachers delivered speeches to mark the occasion, with over 400 female ACCC students in attendance. The ACCC was also honoured by the presence of several Afghan and Canadian politicians and dignitaries, as well as members of the local and international media, and footage of the event was shown on CNN, Kandahar Television and Hewad Television.

ACCC Director Ehsanullah Ehsan delivered a speech praising the Afghan women “who are sacrificing for a peaceful and violence-free Afghanistan.” In just over two years, over 1,000 women have received an education under Ehsan’s direction that would have been unthinkable in Afghanistan a decade ago. Thus far, over 90 female ACCC students have been hired by non-governmental organizations, development agencies and the Afghan government.

The ACCC’s International Women’s Day ceremonies provided an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Afghan women, and to recognize the challenges that still lie ahead. In the words of Mr. Ehsan, only “action without personal interest can bring not only the female population, but the entire nation of Afghanistan, a brighter future.”