Hundreds of Canadians to March in Support of Afghan Women’s Right to Education
Tawazon – Hundreds of Canadians are expected to take part in marches across Canada in solidarity with Afghan women and girls, carrying the message: “Let Afghan women and girls learn.”
Right to Learn Afghanistan announced on Friday that the marches will be held on May 30 and 31 in several Canadian cities.
According to a statement, Afghan and Canadian women in Ottawa will gather at Andrew Haydon Park from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to read poetry, raise their voices and celebrate friendship and social solidarity.
The organization said the events aim to mobilize communities across Canada in support of Afghan women and girls who have been denied access to education.
Lorraine Oates, executive director of Right to Learn Afghanistan said, “Millions of Afghan girls under Taliban rule have been denied access to school, and every day a girl is denied education is another day of injustice.”
She added that Canadians participating in the marches are sending a message that women’s rights matter and that Afghan women are not alone.
Right to Learn Afghanistan says education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for long-term social change. The organization also described the denial of rights to Afghan women and girls as a form of “gender apartheid.”
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, girls and women in Afghanistan have faced restrictions on education, higher studie and many forms of employment.
Despite repeated calls from governments, international organizations and the United Nations, these restrictions remain in place.