Advocate for women in Afghanistan speaking on Sunday
A Canadian aid worker and human rights activist is coming to Peterborough Sunday to speak about the spirit of Afghanistan.
Lauryn Oates is the director of national programs for Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (CW4WAfghan).
The non-profit organization works to advance education for Afghan women and girls and engage Canadians as global citizens.
It has 13 chapters across Canada, including one in Peterborough.
Oates will be at Seeds of Change, in the lower hall at Emmanuel United Church (formerly George Street United Church), on Sunday at 7 p.m.
There’ll also be Afghan crafts for sale and musical performances by local AfghanCanadian kids. Oates has been involved with CW4WAfghan since it established in 1996. She later founded the Vancouver and Montreal chapters.
The activist holds degrees in international development studies, human security and peace building and a PhD in language and literacy education.
She has worked throughout the developing world, particularly in Afghanistan, advocating for the empowerment of women and is considered a global expert on education in conflict zones and on woman’s rights.
Oates will be speaking about what Afghanistan is like today and CW4WAfghan projects.
The charitable organization has supported many educational projects, such as community schools, village libraries, an orphanage, literacy, English and computer classes and teacher training.
It typically holds two fundraisers a year, the Red Pashmina Walk in April and a dinner in November.
With the groups’ national conference in Ottawa this weekend, local chapter member Melodie McCullough said the group asked Oates if she’d come this way to speak.
The event is open to everyone and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
McCullough hopes people leave with a better understanding of what life is like for women and children today in the Middle Eastern country.
“We just hope that they keep Afghanistan on their radar and understand that it still needs a lot of help,” she said.
NOTE: Tickets will be available at the door or ahead of time through Daphne at 705-656-3820 or peterborough@cw4wafghan.ca.