Dear Editor:
The world is a busy place! The major powers appear to be preparing for a third world war. Ukraine and Israel are in different parts of the world but many countries are gearing up for what comes next, including China, Russia, the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and others.
Competition between the big players is leading to new trade partners, with winners and losers. The “made in China” brand is quickly being replaced with brands being made in Vietnam, Indonesia and other eastern countries that do not yet rival the western world in technological capabilities, manpower and an ability to challenge the interests of the U.S., as does China.
However this letter is not about the above. It is to pay attention to a less influential group whose voice is no longer allowed to be heard, not only in its own country, but more importantly, abroad.
Does the average person in Canada truly know the appalling conditions in which women and girls in Afghanistan live? Education for girls is now limited to Grade 6. Women are literally restricted to their homes, and their voices cannot be heard. Many are covered from head to foot and cannot leave home without a male to accompany them.
Young boys grow up with an abnormal, distorted view of what it is to be a woman. People of Canada and the government need to know and care, but that is too easy. Refugee status should be offered to all girls and women seeking asylum, as all women living in Afghanistan are considered to be persecuted. Canada’s feminist foreign policy must be shown to work in action not just in words.
I am not the federal government. I have almost no power to influence action, but I have a voice, and so do you. Why Afghanistan women? Why pick and choose when the world is a busy place? Too many issues, too many problems?
While we celebrate our freedom here, while we worry about living in safe communities, while we build more houses and close our doors to those who wish to study and live here, I think we are smart enough, wealthy enough, kind enough to petition our politicians and those with influence to put the women of Afghanistan topmost on their list of priorities simply because it is the right thing to do, and to do today.
Janet Calderwood,
Rockwood