Afghan Women Today:
Realities and Opportunities

In Observance of International Women's Day

Friday, 8 March 2002
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Conference Room 2

The recent developments in Afghanistan have created new opportunities for women to assert their rightful roles as full participants in Afghan society. This event will highlight the current situation of women in Afghanistan and discuss the international community's concerted efforts to support the advancement of women and girls in Afghanistan. The televised event at United Nations Headquarters in New York is organized in observance of International Women's Day.

Speakers:

Opening Ceremony

Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations
Han Seung-soo, President of the 56th Session of the General Assembly (Republic of Korea)
Ole Peter Kolby (Norway), President of the Security Council
Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States of America
Angela E. V. King, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women.
who will read a statement from Dr. Sima Samar, Vice-President of the Interim Administration
and Minister of Women's Affairs in Afghanistan

Panel discussion

Her Majesty Queen Noor
Sima Wali, President, Refugee Women in Development
Othman Jerandi, Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (Tunisia)
Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Julia Taft, Assistant Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Moderator of the event

Shashi Tharoor, Interim Head, Department of Public Information

Members of delegations, media, accredited NGO representatives and Secretariat staff are invited to attend.

A live webcast of the forum can be accessed at www.un.org/webcast/events/iwday2002/.

For further information, contact the NGO Section, Department of Public Information, tel.: (212) 963-1859.