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Education is a Right

  • 99 Brock St Peterborough, ON, K9H 3M3 Canada (map)

"Education is a Right" is the focus of this year's dinner and discussion presented by the Peterborough chapter of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan) Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m. at St. John's Anglican Church, 99 Brock St., Peterborough.
Featuring the tastes, sounds and stories of Afghanistan, the event will raise funds that will go to further the education of women and girls in Afghanistan. 

Guest speaker Shegufa Merchant will share her views about education  -- not merely as one right among many outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -- but as a central and critical piece in the realization of all human rights.

Ms. Merchant has been in the field of academic research for over a decade with international experience in India and Kuwait and is currently a PhD student and Research and Teaching Assistant at Trent University, studying Environmental and Life Sciences with a specialization in Biomaterials. She is a motivational speaker and has conducted various workshops for youth and women in Kuwait and for newcomers to Canada. Most recently she has joined Peterborough's Abraham Festival committee working towards promoting the universal message of peace.

There will be a silent auction during the evening; crafts hand-made by women in Afghanistan will be sold; and a home-made Middle Easter dinner will be served.

Over the last decade, there has been remarkable progress made in Afghanistan. Millions of girls have returned to school, and their mothers are able to see a doctor. But most women still have little access to education and schools lack books and qualified teachers. Most Afghans live in extreme poverty and many fear for their safety.

CW4WAfghan is a volunteer organization founded in 1996 with 14 chapters across Canada. Its mission is to advance education and educational opportunities for Afghan women and their families, and to educate Canadians about human rights in Afghanistan. The group has supported over 300 projects to date in Afghanistan.


Tickets are available at the YWCA on Simcoe Street, the New Canadians Centre on Romaine St., and Aryiana Restaurant at George and Hunter Streets. They are $25 per person and $15 for students. For ticket information, please call Melodie of CW4WAfghan at 705-748-6251 or email the chapter at peterborough@CW4WAfghan.ca.

Earlier Event: November 22
Holly Tea & Bazaar
Later Event: November 22
Welcome Winter