2 October 2011 - Hundreds of females students in Kandahar urged an end to violence at an event at the Afghan-Canadian Community Centre (ACCC) organized to mark the International Day of Peace.

“If there is peace in our country, our books, teachers, students and everything will be safe. We will be able to acquire education and rebuild our country in a safer environment,” said one of the Afghan students in a speech in English.

Another said, “War is destruction and misery and will eliminate us. However, peace is love and harmony.”

The event, organized by ACCC with the support of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), was attended by the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) regional office in Kandahar, Deputy Women Affairs Department (DoWA), members of civil society, female students, teachers and the media.

“Peace is prerequisite and in order to put an end to this blood-shed and violence in our country, we should take pen instead of weapon,” said Ehsanullah Ehsan, the Director of ACCC.

“We should take practical steps to achieve peace, instead of giving slogans and organizing some formal meetings and gatherings,” Ehsan added.

ACCC currently has 1,500 students, half of whom are girls, studying in different courses in business management, English language and computers through on-line classes with universities in Canada and the United States.

The event was concluded by providing awards and peace day give-aways to the participants of the debate.

Meanwhile, as part of the International Peace Day campaign, a volleyball tournament was organized among female students in Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province.

The event was supported by UNAMA Nimroz office.

By UNAMA Kandahar