Mr. Speaker, in the lead-up to International Women's Day, our government is hosting the first ever delegation of Afghan women parliamentarians to Canada. Their role in shaping Afghanistan's future is a symbol of progress and of hope.
These parliamentarians have been invited to Canada to take part in a capacity building program that will address issues including women's rights and the roles women parliamentarians can play on issues relating to nation building, conflict resolution and peace building.
While we as Canadians are doing our part to transform Afghan civil society, it is the people of Afghanistan who will be the agents for real and long term change.
The active participation of Afghan women in Afghanistan's political future shows that their society is changing and that the foundations are being laid for the future.
We are deeply honoured by their visit and we look forward to continued cooperation and exchanges with them and their colleagues.
I hope all members of Parliament will join me in welcoming them to Parliament Hill today.