March 4, 2007
Presentation Of Film On "Afghan Women"

NEW YORK: The first-ever preview of the film "Afghan Women: A History of Struggle" was presented in the Big Apple as part of the on-going New York Arab and South Asian Film Festival.

Directed by Kathleen Foster, the 65-minute film documents tumultuous history of continuous change within the political landscape of Afghanistan over the past several decades, with a specific focus on impact of each turnover on Afghan women.

With interviews of Afghan women and visuals from various eras of Afghanistan, the film is centered around the third annual conference of Women for Afghan Women at Kandahar in 2003. The event is considered to be a milestone, as it discussed, drafted and signed the Afghan Women's Bill of Rights.

"It is disappointing that the provisions of Afghan Women's Bill of Rights were not included in the Afghan constitution," Foster told Pajhwok Afghan News in an interview before the screening of the film before a select audience.

Screening of the film was followed by an interesting and lively discussion on the status of women in Afghanistan by a panel of eminent speakers.

"We will not give up," said Fahima Vorgetts, an Afghan-American, adding that she and her organisation would continue to work for the empowerment of Afghan women, come what may.