By Brendan Rees
More than 200 women from the Afghan community gathered for a night of poetry and music in Cranbourne to celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March.
The event, held at Amberlee Reception, sought to highlight the positive benefits of gender equality, equity and acceptance in the community, chairperson of the Bakhtar Cultural Association, Bassir Qadiri said.
“The main goal was to deliver the important message of family and domestic violence through poetry and music and upgrading the awareness of our community about gender equality through this event which is long journey for the Afghan community,” he said.
“The messages highlighted the importance of women right and focusing on condemning domestic violence and misogynous behaviour.”
Guests included Federal MP for Bruce Julian Hill, Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas, Victoria Police Inspector Graeme Stanley and Sergeant Kelly Christe, as well as Afghan community leaders, poets, writers and social activists.
Mrs Tahmina Arsalan was awarded the Woman of the Year Award which acknowledges the exceptional contribution of Afghan Women in Australia.
Mrs Arsalan is a well-know and talented Afghan singer.
The evening was also presented by the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health.
