CFUW Members:

In less than a week over 1000 delegates, including 90 foreign ministers (Hon. John Baird, Canada) will be be meeting at the Bonn 2 Conference to plan Afghanistan's future after the international community leaves in 2014. CFUW and IFUW have taken an important lead in supporting the inclusion of women in a meaningful way at this very important meeting.   The confirmation of the 40 member Afghan delegation last week and its inclusion of 13 articulate women was good news.  However, pressure must be kept up to raise international awareness of the significance of these meetings and to ensure human rights including women's rights and justice are part of the Afghan government's plan going forward.

With Brenda Wallace's support, Susan Russell, Chair, CFUW International Relations, has suggested the below link to the Amnesty International petition be sent out to all clubs with a request for members and their friends to please consider signing.  Ten thousand signatures from the women of Canada would send a strong message!

Thank you for your interest.

Hally Siddons, Co-Convenor
University women Helping Afghan Women, CFUW-Ottawa
 
http://www.amnesty.ca/iwriteforjustice/take_action.php?actionid=615&