Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-39) and Kathy Manning (NC-06), members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution pledging strong support of Afghan women and girls following the Biden Administration’s planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan by September 2021.
H.Res. 547 affirms the United States commitment to providing robust humanitarian and developmental assistance to support women and girls in Afghanistan and calls for the meaningful and effective inclusion of Afghan women in all peace negotiations.
“Women and girls in Afghanistan have made incredible gains in the classroom, the workforce and the halls of government, in large part due to U.S. support. We must ensure that U.S. withdrawal from the region does not adversely impact the opportunities for girls to learn and succeed,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I am proud to work with Congresswoman Manning to show bipartisan support for basic rights for Afghan women and girls. As the U.S. withdraws and the Taliban continues to consolidate power, support for Afghan women and girls is more important than ever. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense measure.”
“As U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan after 20 years, it is imperative that the United States honor our commitment to stand with Afghan women and girls. Under Taliban rule in the 1990s, women and girls were brutally oppressed, prohibited from attending school, and were subjected to egregious acts of violence. Although opportunities for Afghan women have dramatically improved since the 2001 invasion – Afghan women have gained employment and Afghan girls can pursue an education – all of these gains are now at risk. I’m introducing this legislation to call for robust humanitarian and diplomatic assistance to support women and girls in Afghanistan,” said Congresswoman Manning.
Following the 2002 Invasion of Afghanistan and subsequent overthrow of the Taliban, opportunities for women in Afghanistan have dramatically improved. However, despite these steps forward, Afghan women and girls tragically remain targets of violence.
The Taliban’s history of brutality against women and the absence of significant female representation throughout peace negotiations has created concern for the future of women in Afghanistan.
H.Res. 547 builds on the Congresswomen’s work to uplift women and girls around the world. Read the resolution HERE.
