Monash University, in conjunction with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Baran Entertainment and the Helping Afghans platform by PBC Digital, is pleased to present a joint event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2022 to honour women’s fight in Afghanistan’s equality and justice.

Our aim is to turn the spotlight on their fight for the fundamental rights of women under the Taliban’s repressive regime, once again, since their takeover of the country on 15 August 2021. The event objectives are to:

• Celebrate International Women’s Day by drawing attention to the Afghan women’s fight for their fundamental rights
• Recognise the importance of music for bringing people together around important causes
• Acknowledge the critical role Monash has taken in the promotion of women rights, supporting Afghan women socially, culturally, and politically, and the right of the Afghani people to music as a form of expression.

Alongside presentations by the Ambassador, Monash staff and music students, the event will feature Afghanistan’s national singer, Farhad Darya, to pay tribute to International Women’s Day through music and arts.

Music is banned under the Taliban regime. Music instruments are burnt across the country. Artists of all backgrounds face threats to their lives. Women artists have disappeared, and their arts are destroyed to wipe their records. This event wishes to bring together key people - who have contributed and are influential in this cause - to be acknowledged and together celebrate Afghan women’s fight for their rights. It recognises Monash’s long term investment in the women of Afghanistan through the ongoing support of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and the work of the Gender, Peace and Security Centre.

Join us in a musical celebration for International Women's Day with scholars, performers and dignitaries from Australia, Monash and the Afghan diaspora.

EVENT'S DETAILS

Livestream: March 8th 2022, 6.30pm AEDT

Viewable on page or on https://www.facebook.com/Monash.University/videos/

PART ONE:

1. Acknowledgement and welcome note: Professor Margaret Gardner AC, President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University.

2. Speaker: Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi, Embassy of the Islamic Republic Afghanistan in Canberra.

3. Live musical performance: Students of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance.

PART TWO:

4. Panel discussion: Supporting women in Afghanistan. Moderated by Ms Katie Allen (Federal MP).

Panellists: Dr Karima Faryabi (Former Afghanistan’s Minister of Economy), Ms Durkhanai Ayubi (Author, Parwana), Mr Sawiz Sawizyar (Helping Afghan Platform), Ms Farkhondeh Akbari (Postdoctoral fellow at GPS). This diverse panel brings on the expertise of Afghan women and on helping Afghan women.

5. Introduction to Farhad Darya: Ryan Rezai, Representative from Baran Entertainment.

6. Live musical performance: Farhad Darya with students from the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance.

7. Recognition awards

8. Vote of thanks: Professor Margaret S. Barrett, Head of the Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance at Monash University.