Afghanistan women plight Feb. 1

The plight of women in Afghanistan will be the focus of a Feb. 1 Arcadia Woman’s Club luncheon talk and a short award-winning documentary film by an expert who survived suicide bombings in Afghanistan during her past nine years working in the country.

The presentation by Taraneh Salke will be hosted at the Woman’s Club,  324 S. First Avenue at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tickets are $20 for club members; $25 non-members; $15 for program only. Call 626-355-6845 for reservations.

Salke is a cultural anthropologist and is founder and Executive Director of Family Health Alliance, to which 65% of ticket prices will be donated as a tax-deductible contribution. She co-produced and co-directed the short documentary, “Where are the Men?,” with her brother, Arcadia Weekly Publisher / Editor In Chief Von Raees. The movie discusses the importance of involving men in family planning and reproductive health for advancement of women’s health and development, and the value of understanding and considering local culture in design and implementation of developmental programs. The 2011 Los Angeles Reel Film Festival presented the movie with awards for Best Film, Best Narration, and Best Director.

Salke, who lectures regularly at universities and conferences on women’s global health issues, holds an MPH degree from UCLA.

— By Scott Hettrick