In tribute of International Women’s Day, Heidi Kuhn, Founder/CEO, Roots of Peace, a recipient of the FORBES 50 Over 50 Women, called forth a global community of committed women to raise $1 billion dollars to benefit farmers and families in Afghanistan during this time of crisis, food shortages and massive starvation.
“Afghanistan is a country 80% dependent upon agriculture for jobs, yet 97% of the population is suffering from extreme poverty in a country once known as the ‘Garden of Central Asia,’ stated Kuhn. “We are committed towards bringing a thousand golden shovels to Afghanistan to underscore our deep commitment as women to call forth $1 billion to cultivate peace through agriculture in Afghanistan. It is Spring and Nowruz, and it is the time when the earth is fertile to plant sustainable peace.”
Roots of Peace is a humanitarian non-profit which has worked in Afghanistan during the past two decades turning MINES TO VINES—replacing minefields with vineyards and orchards worldwide. Working with millions of Afghan farmers in all 34 provinces, they have planted over six (6) million fruit trees and increased exports of fresh fruits from $250 million in 2014 to over $1.4 billion in 2020.
This week, the International Women’s Day Award convened in Abu Dhabi to honor and commemorate influential voices who have sparked movements to advance women around the world. The FORBES FORBES 30/50 Summit honored Secretary Hillary Clinton, who received this inaugural FORBES CHANGEMAKER award in tribute to her extraordinary public service towards women and girls.
The recipients also included two Afghan women who passionately appealed for support from the global community—Ms. Zarif Ghafari, the first woman mayor of Wardak Province, Afghanistan, and Ms. Naheed Farid, a former member of Afghan Parliament. Deeply moved by their call to action and appeal for aid, Roots of Peace seeks $1 Billion to further our programs and bring 1000 golden shovels to inspire young men and women to students.
“They are sending the first woman to Mars, and but we, as women can’t even be safe in our own country,” stated Zarifa Ghafari. The international group of women at the FORBES 30/50 Summit vowed to surround the Afghan women, and committed towards raising their voices and seeking major funding to impact the lives of farmers during this critical Spring planting season—leading with shovels not swords. This International Women’s Day was marked with the need for major financial support to scale programs that will truly impact the lives of Afghan women and families.
International Women's Day (IWD) is an annual event celebrated on March 8th to recognize the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day has been observed since the early 1900s and is a rallying point for communities around the world to call for gender equality, women's rights, and increased representation of women in all spheres of life.
IWD is a globally recognized holiday and is celebrated in various ways, including rallies, conferences, networking events, and workshops. The theme for IWD changes each year and is meant to bring attention to specific issues affecting women worldwide. Some of the recent themes include "Choose to Challenge" (2021), "I Am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights" (2020), and "Balance for Better" (2019).
The day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the importance of continuing to work towards a more just and equal world for all women and girls.
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