Afghanistan Times
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AT Monitoring Desk-KABUL: Khalida Noori, 24, an Afghan girl who is fighting for women’s right in southern Kandahar province, has been awarded the Madeleine K. Albright Award in the United States, said reports on Wednesday.
Noori received the award through America’s National Democratic Institute (NDI), which recognizes the contribution of outstanding women in advancing democracy and political participation of women across the globe.
Noori runs the Worker Women Social Organization (WWSO), a grassroots group based in Kandahar, which provides educational opportunities for girls and women and then find them jobs in governmental organizations.
Noori said in an event that several women have been graduated from WWSO who are now the earning hands of their respective families.
Senator Barbara Mikulski, a US senator talked about the importance of giving women role politics. “As Madeleine Albright and the leaders of NDI know so well, when we share our stories, whether in Congress or Kandahar, we inspire women everywhere to fight for opportunity. Every culture responds to a passionate message. Every community can be changed. But first, it takes the power of the one to organize the many.”
On the same occasion, First lady Rula Ghani said the women are among the strongest women who with very limited means strive to make better life for themselves and their families. “They live under very difficult circumstances. Yet, with very limited means, they [women] are striving to make a better life for themselves and their families. They are the glue that keeps society together. They are the conscience that goads the leaders onto the right path. They are hardworking, persistent, resourceful, and they are tough. If they need support and help it is not because they are weak or clueless but because they are strong and will put every little bit of support to good use,” she said.
The WWSO president said she will use the $25,000 grant to raise females in Kandahar to join the next generation of the political leaders of Afghanistan.
