The Centre for Culture Ethnicity & Health partnered with the Afghan community to deliver an evening of poetry and music (mushaira) in celebration of International Women’s Day on Friday March the 8th.
Using the traditional practice of imparting knowledge and learning through music and poetry, trained community members shared their insights with the broader Afghan community about gender equity and women’s health.
‘Gender equity is a key component of our work and is a determinant of good mental and physical health,’ Alison Coelho, co-manager of CEH said.
‘We know through established research and our direct work with communities that supporting community led initiatives that highlight gender equity is critical in preventing violence against women.
‘Promotion of gender equality improves our understanding and experiences of relationships and intimacy, building happier families and communities’..
The International Women’s Day celebrations took place in Cranbourne. Guests included Federal MP for Bruce Julian Hill, Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas, Victoria Police Inspector Graeme Stanley and Sergeant Kelly Christe, as well as Afghan community leaders, poets, writers and social activists.
This event follows another successful mushaira, in July last year, in which hundreds of Afghan community members gathered to promote healthier livers and raise awareness about hepatitis C.