AUAF Celebrates International Women’s Day 2008

Women comprise 31% of AUAF's students.

In a warm gathering of around seventy students, faculty, staff and friends of the University, AUAF celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday March 8, 2008.

“I liked the event very much because I found time to socialize,” said Nilofar, an AUAF student and employee.

During the event, speeches were delivered by Johan Brongers, Vice President of AUAF, Judith Schiffbauer, Assistant Professor, Belquees, an AUAF undergraduate student, and Mohammad Aajan, an AUAF student and organizer of the event.

Speeches revived audience members’ thoughts about the situation of Afghan women. Professor Judith Schiffbauer depicted Afghan women under Taliban’s rule. “The women of Afghanistan struggled, suffered, and endured,” she said.

Speakers reiterated the importance of women in Afghanistan society and the crucial roles they play. Brongers stated: “Afghan women are making history by reserving prominent positions in politics, business and other aspects of social and cultural life in Afghanistan.”

Indeed, AUAF itself is a place where women comprise a significant percentage of the organization and student body. Currently, 31% of the student body consists of women and 30% of AUAF’s faculty and administration are women.

Mohammad Aajan, an undergraduate student at AUAF, proposed and realized, in cooperation with the AUAF administration, the idea of celebrating the International Women’s Day.

“I highly respect women and thought it is necessary to observe this event in our University,” Mohammad says of his motive.

After the speeches, senior officials of the University presented souvenir gifts to female members of AUAF. The event ended after the music and refreshment time which made for a cheerful crowd of students and staff all together, eating and chatting.