Echoes of Courage: Afghan Women’s Stories Through Film, Culture, and Advocacy

Afghan women’s lives should be full of sunlight. Playing in the sunshine with friends. Walking in the park or to school in the morning sun’s rays. Sketching, writing, and photographing a beautiful sunset. Picnicking, gardening, or even reading outside, Afghan women deserve the happiness, peace and serenity that an afternoon in the sun provides us all. But, in 2025, Afghan women have been systematically deprived of the sunlight – forced to cover their whole bodies including their faces and pressured to spend their entire lives indoors. This oppressive state they live in means that many are also seeing their inner sunlight dim.

Every year, the international community marks the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to call for an end to violence and discrimination against women and girls. In Afghanistan, the return of the Taliban has erased fundamental freedoms for women, while in Australia, solidarity with Afghan women continues to grow.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan invites you to enjoy a summer sunset at the embassy in Canberra. Inspired by the novel ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Afghan author Khaled Hosseini, we want to host friends, advocates, activists, and public to mark together the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with our actions, dialogues, and performance.

Order of Arrangements:

1:00 – 1:30 PM | Arrival & Registration
Guests arrival, registration and seating
Reading of selected messages from the Thousand Suns Campaign
Samaa dance: Women of Resilience – From Kabul to Canberra, Yosra Nadri, 11

1:30 – 2:00 PM | Welcome & Acknowledgement
Welcome remarks and brief overview of the event and its purpose
National anthems of Afghanistan and Australia
Introduction of exhibitions: Spark in the Dark by veteran and artist Kat Rae, and Voices of the
Afghan Cameleer Women by author and historian Pamela Rajkowski OAM

2:00 – 2:10 PM | Opening Remarks
Ambassador of I. R. of Afghanistan, HE Wahidullah Waissi

2:10 – 2:30 PM | Music & Theatre Performance
Short theatre piece The Sun Still Rises followed by musical performances of Afghan folk singers

2:30 – 3:10 PM | Panel I – The Vanishing Rights of Women and the Rise of Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan
Moderator: Emeritus Professor Fiona Jenkins, ANU
Panelists: Tahera Nassrat, Kat Rae, and Dr Mariam Gulpan Sarajsada

3:10 – 3:30 PM | Book Talk – Parwana: Food, Memory, and Resistance
Durkhanai Ayubi, Author of Parwana, in conversation with award-winning journalist, Parwiz Kawa, Executive Director of Hasht-e Sobh Daily

3:30 – 4:00 PM | Musical Performance
Afghan singers performing folk music: Mirwais Nejrabi, Maleka Barekzai, Nouria Latif

4:00 – 4:30 PM | Panel II – Education & Empowerment
Moderator: Karen Middleton, Journalist and Author
Panelists: Emeritus Professor William Maley AM, Erfanullah Abidi, Muzafar Ali

4:30 – 5:00 PM | Musical Performance
Music performance by Australian folk artist, author and diplomat, Fred Smith OAM, performing
Thousands Splendid Suns and Trembling Sky

5:00 – 5:30 PM | Panel III – Afghanistan Today: Challenges, Change, and the Role of Diaspora
Moderator: Dr Nematullah Bizhan, ANU
Panelists: Dr Nilofar Ibrahimi, Dr Karima Faryabi, Judge Nilab Hotaki Talash (in local languages)

5:30 – 6:00 PM | Choral Performance
A Chorus of Women in Canberra performs two devoted songs Love Has a Voice and Lest We Forget


6:00 – 6:30 PM | Honouring Contributions by the Community
Presentation of Appreciation to Community Contributors


6:30 – 7:00 PM | Closing Reflections, Group Photo & Networking
Group photo & informal networking with refreshments

The following services will run during the event from 1 PM to 7 PM:

• Food – Enjoy the authentic taste of Afghanistan, featuring Mantu, Qabli Palaw, and Kebab.
• Embroidery Exhibition – Sparks in the Dark, showcase of exquisite embroidery pieces handcrafted by women in Afghanistan.
• Marketplace – Explore Afghan clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, and handmade cultural artefacts.
• Book Exhibition – Browse a collection of books on Afghanistan, women’s stories, and cultural heritage.

Our film festival will run during the 16 days of activism at the at the Kambri Cinema, Australian National University, supported by the ANU Film Group and the Ghan International Film Festival Australia. See dates and showtimes HERE.

Note: All details are subject to change or revision on 29th Nov., depending on weather conditions.

You are welcome to bring your own chairs and picnic mats for comfortable outdoor seating during the event. 

Event Details:
Open to: Afghan and Australian community members, families, and friends of Afghanistan
Date: Saturday, 29 November 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
4 Beale Crescent, Deakin ACT 2600
For inquiries: [email protected]

Last updated: 9:00 PM, 28 Nov 2025, Canberra Time

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