Voices on the Rise: Afghan Women Making the News photojournalism exhibition opened at the University of Ottawa on Thursday, October 5th to a warm and welcoming crowd. From there the exhibit went on to open at Carleton University on Monday, October 23rd, and has received a very positive reception from both the public and the press since its opening.

The University of Ottawa, in collaboration with Carleton University and the Embassy of Afghanistan, have hosted this important exhibition highlighting the story of female communicators in Afghanistan.

Voices on the Rise: Afghan Women Making the News takes a look into the lives of Afghan women journalists, producers, managers, writers, photographers, filmmakers, human rights activists and parliamentarians. The exhibit takes visitors into the lives of these women; lives that are not easy, juggling newly-found freedoms with traditional responsibilities at home, and all the while, struggling with the ghosts of their country's harrowing past.

Voices on the Rise reveals how the women communicators of Afghanistan are true revolutionaries who have found a voice through the media, and who, through their work, are helping to ensure all Afghan women are given a voice.

The exhibit, which features Canadian photographers Leslie Knott, Lana Slezic, Marija Dumancic, and Elise Jacob, as well as a handful of new Afghan photographers, is organized by Jane McElhone and Khorshied Samad, the wife of the Afghan Ambassador to Canada.

On October 5th, the photojournalism exhibition was officially opened by Amb. Omar Samad, uOttawa President Gilles Patry, Khorshied Samad and Jane McElhone. There was also a visit by Minister of International Cooperation Josee Verner, who announced additional aid to fight Polio in Afghanistan at the exhibition opening. The October 23rd opening included addresses by Carleton University's President David Atkinson, Director of the Pauline Jewett Institute of Women's Studies Professor Virginia Caputo, and Khorshied Samad.

The Right Honourable Governor General Michaelle Jean also had a private tour of the exhibition on Sunday, October 15th, accompanied by Ambassador and Mrs. Samad, and is extremely supportive of the timely and important message which the exhibit conveys. 

The exhibit will be open for public viewing at the Galleria space in the University Center building at Carleton University from October 23 until November 6, 2006.