2019 marks an exciting year for the Embassy of Afghanistan in Canberra, and as the year progresses, each month brings with it an important event. Quickly approaching in March is the Annual People-to-People Dialogue; a platform which works to enhance sustainable and productive relationships between Afghanistan and Australia. The Dialogue is returning for its second year and will be focussing on Women’s Empowerment. As part of this, a delegation of Afghan women leaders representing a variety of backgrounds will be visiting Australia, and plan to be in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne from the 6th to 14th of March. 

During the course of their visit, the Delegation will be meeting with various government organisations, councils, diaspora groups and others with the aim of highlighting women’s contributions and involvement across different sectors. They will be discussing the Afghan current affairs and the visions, roles and challenges for Afghan women in their country’s post-reconciliation era. The Delegation will also participate in International Women’s Day on the 8th of March, which marks an valuable opportunity to draw attention to the achievements of Afghan women on a bilateral level. 

The focus on Women’s Empowerment in this year’s Dialogue reflects the important role that women play in strengthening the people-to-people bonds between Australia and Afghanistan, and is especially timely given the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between our two nations. The prospective agenda will include issues of importance for Afghan women and potential solutions, and Australia’s relationship with these initiatives. The Dialogue also hopes to raise awareness on shared concerns faced by women in both countries, and current initiatives being taken to combat these – particularly in the delegates’ respective fields. The Dialogue will be a platform to examine the expectations and goals of women as we move forwards in the post-reconciliation era. 

For more updates and to follow their activities in Australia, follow #AusAfghanDialogue through our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.