Canada pledges $500m in development aid to Afghanistan by 2017

The government of Canada has pledged over USD 500 million in development to Afghanistan by 2017, Khaama Press reported on Wednesday.
Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular of Canada has said the aid would be spent by 2017 in the development sector.
In an interview with The Oslo Times at the ‘High-level Symposium on Women’s Rights in Afghanistan’ in Oslo, Minister Yelich, said Afghanistan is a country of focus for Canada
She said Canada is among the lead donors of the Independent Afghan Human Rights Commission and insisted that women’s rights remains at the core of Canadian efforts in Afghanistan.
“When it comes to the United Nations policies we are focused on the implementation of the resolution 1325, in an effort to eliminate violence against women,” Minister Yelich added.
She also added “Just today we want to invest and we are investing over $6 million on the National Democratic Institute. This money is for those who are trying to have a fair election and in an effort to increase women participation in elections.