Mr. Speaker, I rise today as chair of the Canada-Afganistan Parliamentary Friendship Group and as the member of Parliament for Vaughan—Woodbridge, a riding with a proud and entrepreneurial Afghan Canadian diaspora, to recognize The Breadwinner, a Canadian co-produced and Oscar-nominated film.
This film is based on the book by Canadian author Deborah Ellis. It tells the story of a young Afghan woman who must disguise herself as a boy to support her family.
Showing the effects of war on ordinary people, The Breadwinner is reflective of strong women everywhere, including in Afghanistan, who defy circumstance and find courage through adversity.
Our government is determined to promote gender equality and empower women. We are also determined to protect the rights of women, in particular the most vulnerable.
Let us congratulate The Breadwinner for celebrating female self-empowerment and for raising awareness of the fight for gender equality.