Event Date: November 3, 2023 - 3:30pm to 5:00pm
Location: FSS 4004, 120 University Private, University of Ottawa

Presented by CIPS and the Asia Studies Network (ASN) and the Fragile States Research Network (FSRN)

The University of Ottawa’s Centre for International Policy Studies, together with its two networks, the Asia Studies Network (ASN) and the Fragile States Research Network (FSRN), invites you to this knowledge mobilization session with Dr. Sima Samar. During this session, we will consider policy options and programming strategies addressing the pressing risks facing women and girls in Afghanistan.

This event will take place in English.

Photo credit: Wanman Uthmaniyyah from Unsplash.com

Speakers:

Dr. Sima Samar is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, renowned human rights advocate, and an identified global influential female figure, Dr. Sima Samar dedicated her life to public service, humanitarian work, and women’s empowerment. She served as the Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) from 2002 to 2019. Alongside, Dr. Samar chaired the Commission for the Prevention of Torture and the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. Dr. Samar has continuously advocated for the world’s under-represented and marginalized gr, groups such as women, children, and minorities, with the firm belief that respect for human rights and human dignity, equality between the people, and access to justice will change the reality in the ground and reduce conflicts.

Dr. Ruby Dagher is a Replacement Professor at the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa, a researcher, and a consultant. She has a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with research on issues related to conflict, legitimacy, development studies, decolonization, evaluation, gender equality, bias, diversity, and racism. Ruby is also a facilitator and a trainer on gender, diversity and inclusion, anti-racism, and bias to various Government of Canada departments and non-governmental actors. She has previously worked in the banking sector and the Canadian International Development Agency, now Global Affairs Canada – Development. She has consulted for the Caribbean Development Bank, the University of Central Asia, the Canadian Foreign Service Institute, and the Association of Part-time Professors at the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Nipa Banerjee is currently a Senior Fellow and Principal Researcher at the University of Ottawa. Served as a Senior Policy Analyst in international development and foreign aid for over 30 years with the government of Canada. Represented the Canadian government as a diplomat in Bangladesh, Indonesia, India/Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Afghanistan, heading Canada’s aid program in the four latter countries.  A key highlight of her career was her tenure as the Head of Canada’s aid program in Afghanistan, where she resided from 2003 to 2007. This role involved overseeing and managing Canada’s aid efforts in the country during a critical period of its development. Her deep involvement with Afghanistan continued with frequent visits up until 2019, reflecting her ongoing commitment to the country’s development.