Thank you, Mr. Chair. I want to welcome our guests from CARE Canada.
It is obvious when reading your document that you consider improving the living conditions of Afghan women as one of the pillars of Afghanistan's future. There is no doubt in my mind about this, because this is what you say all over this document. You talk about good government and about the rule of law.
I went to Afghanistan on three occasions and I have always noted that women are kept under control and systematically oppressed. Even we, Westerners, sometimes find it difficult to talk to them. We often have the feeling that we do not help by talking to them because they are constantly under surveillance. I ultimately have to say that Afghan society is patriarchal in nature. It is not a matriarchal society based on a specific culture.
I can agree with you when you say that it is sometimes necessary to try to change this culture by doing concrete things, perhaps like building hospitals near villages. Then people would not have to travel on camel back for three days to get to a hospital. I can understand that but this is a big challenge you are asking us to take on. It is quite difficult. With a patriarchal society—I strongly condemned the infamous rape legislation passed by the Afghan parliament—we are quite far from a situation in which women have full powers in Afghanistan. So I think it would take a very strong will on the part of the Canadian government to really move forward.
The semi-annual report I have here mentions six government priorities and says next to nothing about women. It is therefore quite a challenge you are throwing at us, asking us to be champions and to try to effect change. I think this can be done in two ways: help women in practical terms and, at the same time, educate men. If men persist in their behaviour and hold on to their patriarchal mentality by refusing to give any rights to women, we will need to work for at least a hundred years before we can get any results.
I would like to know your reaction to what I am saying. Are you still suggesting that we go this way? Will it take a very strong will? I think Canada is the only country that is well positioned to do it. Are you in favour of a two-pronged approach involving both helping women in practical terms and educating the patriarchal society?