Strong Leadership.  Hope for Afghanistan

March 06, 2008

This week a delegation of Afghan female Parliamentarians is visiting Ottawa to talk about the progress being made in that country. Seven years ago in Afghanistan, women were not allowed out of their homes unescorted by a male relative. Today, Afghan women are travelling abroad and visiting foreign dignitaries.

Thanks in large part to the strong leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the generous contributions of Canadians, almost two million Afghan girls are attending school. More than 25% of Afghan parliamentarians are women. Women are participating in the Afghan Police Force. Funding is flowing for entrepreneurial Afghan women to start their own businesses. Hundreds of programs are in place to enhance the lives of girls and women in Afghanistan so that they may participate fully and freely in their own society.

It is only through strong, decisive leadership that these developments have been possible. Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Government made the tough decisions necessary to help bring security, development and governance to this country that has been devastated by war and oppression.

Without Canada’s brave soldiers, diplomats and aid workers who are working diligently to help make Afghanistan a safe, stable place, these concrete changes would not be possible. They are supported every day by the real action of the Conservative Government, whose funding, diplomatic efforts and support of our armed forces is an example to our allies around the world.

Prime Minister Harper and the Conservative Government are delivering real results for the people of Afghanistan.