Ottawa – Afghanistan’s Ambassador thanked the Canadian Government for its announcement through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)on Thursday to allocate CAN$5 million to immunize over seven million children in Afghanistan. These funds will be allocated to the World Health Organization and UNICEF as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

While The Honourable Josee Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, and Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Canada, H.E. Omar Samad, were participating at the opening of a photojournalism exhibit on Afghan women journalists at the University of Ottawa, the Afghan envoy used the occasion to express his appreciation on behalf of his government.

“Let me thank Minister Verner and the Canadian Government for the announcement made today to help us eradicate polio from Afghanistan,” he said.

The exhibition, "Voices on the Rise: Afghan Women Making the News", co-sponsored by the University of Ottawa, Carleton University and the Embassy of Afghanistan features the work of Afghan and Canadian freelance photographers whose photos demonstrate the changes taking place in the lives of Afghan women journalists helping to rebuild their country.

At the event, Minister Verner expressed satisfaction with the positive changes over the past five years, and promised to continue supporting efforts to empower Afghan women.

University of Ottawa President, Gilles Patry, also pointed to the accomplishments as well as remaining challenges as seen through the lens of photographers.

Amb. Samad warned that extremist and terrorist groups are making an attempt once more at curtailing gender rights in Afghanistan, but the strong will of the Afghans as well as the continued support of the international community will prevent a return to the dark Taliban times.

Exhibit curators, Khorshied Samad and Jane McElhone, whose efforts were instrumental in organizing the exhibit, thanked the contributors and all those who helped with the project. The photos exhibit will be shown consecutively at both universities till November 6.

Released by the Embassy of Afghanistan

October 6, 2006

Canada