UNIS/VIC/97
19 March 2002

THE FUTURE OF AFGHAN WOMEN
FROM AN AFGHAN WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE

VIENNA, 19 March (UN Information Service) – The future of Afghan women will be addressed by an Afghan woman, a former refugee and currently the Vice-Chairperson of the Afghan Interim Administration and the Minister for Women Affairs of Afghanistan, Ms. Sima Samar. She will speak at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) on Wednesday, 20 March, at 12:00 noon, in Conference Room I, at the invitation of the VIC Women’s Group.

A medical doctor by training, Ms. Samar has lived in exile in Pakistan until the recent changes in Afghanistan made it possible for her to return to her home country in a decision-making position. She had been active in women’s rights issues throughout her life, and during her exile in Pakistan worked closely with NGOs providing support to Afghan women. Ms. Samar has two children, one studies in the United States of America and the other in Pakistan.

She has agreed to answer questions after her speech.

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