Celebration of International Women's Rights Day with REPAF

Montreal, Canada - In a powerful celebration combining cultural identity, education, and women’s empowerment, author K. MD presented her book: A Journey Through African Black Hair Culture at a special event organized to mark International Women’s Day in Montreal. The day’s theme focused on “Women in Science,” aiming to break stereotypes and emphasize gender inclusivity across all professional fields.

K. MD, a passionate writer and advocate for cultural education, shared the inspiration behind her French-language book, which takes children on an educational voyage through the historical and cultural significance of African hair traditions.

“Initially, I created this book to bridge the gap between culture and identity within the African diaspora in Montreal,” said K. MD. “I created it with the help of children and for children, with the goal of making it part of their school curriculum. My hope is that children will learn to appreciate who they are, embrace their identity, and take pride in their roots.”

The book serves as both an educational and cultural tool, offering young readers the opportunity to discover the deep heritage associated with African hair, and by extension, their own personal identity. Through rich storytelling and accessible language, Oric is designed to instill confidence and cultural pride among youth in the diaspora.

The day’s activities were also organized under the umbrella of REPAF (Réseau des Entrepreneurs et Professionnels Africains), a prominent organization supporting African professionals and entrepreneurs in Canada. The chosen theme—women in the sciences—highlighted the essential message that no field is exclusively reserved for men, and women have a rightful place in every sector, including science and technology.

“The idea behind today’s theme was to show that today, there is no domain reserved just for men,” said a REPAF representative. “Women belong in all fields, and it is important for us to highlight that.”

REPAF regularly hosts a wide variety of events year-round, offering support, resources, and empowerment to both its professional and entrepreneurial members. These events range from leadership and inspiration series to specialized workshops covering topics such as accounting, taxation, law, and notarial matters.