Wednesday, July 22nd
Kabul, Afghanistan
We convened a round table discussion today with a number of non-governmental organizations (NGO's). Organizations such as Save the Children, The Agha Khan Foundation and Marie Stopes International were at the table. It was a lively debate about what's needed to improve health care in Afghanistan.
The more I am here the more impressed I am with the Afghans who are working tirelessly to improve their lives. The program director for Marie Stopes International, Mr. Farhad Javid was absolutely passionate about getting quality reproductive health care and contraceptive supplies to Afghans. He was equally passionate about working to end violence toward women. As I listened to this articulate, organized, courageous young man describe how they are working with all social (and anti-social) sectors of Afghanistan I was inspired. He has managed to get reproductive health and family planning information into schools, mosques, beauty salons, pharmacies, jails etc. etc. He is also determined to match the distribution of contraceptive supplies with a campaign to promote gender equality. His charisma was infectious. Everyone in the room was engaged.
This is good!!
I would love to see these people and their work on a PBS documentary .... or a 60 Minutes type of television show. More citizens of the world need to know what is going on in Afghanistan beside the number of body bags leaving the country each day. ~Diane
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