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Threat was made she'd be sold to the Taliban Continued from page 11 13 · Wednesday, November 7, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com them or some other group. This possibility seemed more likely when one of the kidnappers greeted one of the armed men like an old friend, shaking his hand and kissing his cheeks, said Fung. It turned out the journalist was being released and the armed men were Afghan security. Fung soon learned the Afghan government had engineered her release by arresting the mother, brother, sister-in-law, and about a dozen other family members of the lead kidnapper. Fung had been freed in exchange for the release of the kidnapper's mother. Despite the hardships, Fung considers herself lucky as she can talk about the experience and has all the support she could ask for to help her get beyond it. Afghan women, she said, are not so lucky. "In Afghanistan, women are punished for being victims of violence and abuse," she said. "I feel I have a responsibility to them to talk about it, so if you'll indulge me I want to share a few of their stories tonight." Fung then told story after story, illustrating the cruel injustices that exist for women in Afghanistan and the horrific lives many are forced to live. In one sad story, a woman who is kidnapped and raped, attempts to flee her kidnapper only to later be imprisoned for adultery and running away from home. This incident took place five years ago and Fung said the woman is still in jail. In another story, a woman named Gulnaz is raped, becomes pregnant and is imprisoned for adultery because the Afghan authorities refuse to acknowledge a woman can become pregnant as a result of rape. International pressure eventually forced Gulnaz's release, however, as a condition of her pardon, the Afghan government made it clear it expects her to marry her rapist. Not all of Fung's stories were devoid of hope for the future. One story she told focused on Malalai Kakar, a female police officer in Afghanistan, who rose to become the deputy police chief of Kandahar -- the first in Afghanistan's history. Kakar also founded Kandahar's Department of Crimes Against Women. However, after receiving numerous death threats and refusing to back down, Kakar was assassinated by the Taliban in 2008. A good thing to come from the tragedy is that Kakar's example has inspired dozens of women to join the Afghan police force. Fung said the work of these women and others in Afghanistan will hopefully one day mean women like Gulnaz will be given more choices in the future. The CSAW event succeeded in raising $6,500, which will be spent to purchase furniture for three classrooms in a school the group supports in Afghanistan. "In Afghanistan, women are punished for being victims of violence and abuse. I feel I have a responsibility to them to talk about it, so if you'll indulge me, I want to share a few of their stories tonight." Mellissa Fung, journalist abducted while working in Afghanistan Ornaments starting from $3.99 Deck the Halls! $9.99 Durawise LED Lights Reg. $17.99 · Indoor/Outdoor · Battery Operated (AA) · 8 twinkle functions · 48 light strand Experience our fabulous 2012 Tree & Trim Shop. Ten new themes in all! Perfect For Wreaths & Outdoor Arrangements Fresh Magnolia Bunches Reg. $9.99 $6. 99 All FreshWreaths Reg. from $19.99 30% off All Stemmed Accent Cones Reg. from $5.99 Buy 2 Get 1 FREE $9.99 Tri-colour Poinsettia (8") Reg. $14.99 10"Birch Evergreen Arrangement Reg. $59.99 SAVE $20 $39. 99 SAVE $50 Terra Nova 7.5' Pre-lit LEDTree Reg. $249.99 $199.99 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: Monday - Sunday 9am - 6pm All items while quantities last, subject to availability. Category offers exclude "TERRA Essentials" Sale period: Nov. 8th - 14th www.terragreenhouses.com Burlington Hwy #5 East of Brant St. (905) 332-3222 · Milton Britannia Rd.West ofTrafalgar (905) 876-4000 Waterdown Hwy #6 & 5th Concession E. (905) 689-1999 ·Vaughan Keele St. North of Kirby Sideroad (905) 832-6955 A 30% off nte ll La rns