Afghanistan Woman

The Government has stressed reconciliation and cooperation among all citizens. Although the Government primarily is concerned with ethnic reconciliation, it also has expressed concern about religious tolerance. The TISA responded positively to all international approaches on human rights, including religious freedom. The Government emphasized ethnic and intra-faith reconciliation indirectly through the creation and empowerment of the Judicial, Constitutional, and Human Rights Commissions, comprised of members of different ethnic and Muslim religious (Sunni and Shi'a) groups. The Constitutional Commission also included a Hindu member to represent non-Muslim religious minorities. Sikh and Hindu leaders were consulted regularly during the preparation of the draft Constitution and elected three delegates, including a woman, to the CLJ. ... [Read More]

Remarks at a PBS Reception and Screening of Afghanistan Unveiled

Good evening distinguished guests and so many friends who are here tonight. I would like to thank Pat and PBS for hosting this wonderful event. Pat, you’ve played a pivotal role in making tonight’s presentation possible, and in our overall efforts to help the women of Afghanistan. Thanks to Tim McBride of DaimlerChrysler for his unwavering support to Afghanistan. Welcome Mrs. Jawad, and I also want to extend a special welcome to Shakeba Adel, one of the talented filmmakers of Afghanistan Unveiled. She has come all the way from Kabul as a guest of PBS. Shakeba was still in high school when she began working on this project, and she was the first woman journalist to broadcast the fall of the Taliban. She is the primary camerawoman, director, and co-producer of another documentary called If I Stand Up, appropriately about Afghan women and the recent Presidential elections. We look forward to seeing the next film as well. ... [Read More]

Women and the Transition to Democracy: Iraq, Afghanistan, Beyond

In introducing a group from the organization Women for a Free Iraq a month ago, I said that we are respectful of nations that differ from our own. At the same time, we believe that democracy and human rights are not just for some people but for all people. They are universal principles that every man, woman, and child is entitled to. We want to help Iraqis take back their country after decades of tyranny and build foundations of a democratic society, a society based on Iraqi traditions and culture and founded on the universal principles of freedom and liberty. The women of Iraq have a critical role to play in the future revival of their society. They bring skills and knowledge that will be vital to restoring Iraq to its rightful place in the region and in the world. However, the U.S. will not dictate what the future Iraqi Government will look like. Those decisions are for the Iraqi people to make. ... [Read More]

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs – U.S. Department of State

In her opening remarks to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dina Powell stated, "Too few in the world today know about the goodness and compassion and generosity of the American people. Too few know of our belief that every man and woman and child has value and that every voice has value. Too few know of our deep respect for the history and traditions of others and our respect for the religions of all." Read Dina Powell's complete opening statement. ... [Read More]

Road to Democracy: Afghan Elections

In the southern Afghani city of Kandahar, a woman displays her voter registration card as she waits to cast her ballot at a polling station for women, and a long line of voters stretches around the corner from a polling station for men. ... [Read More]

II. Quotes By and About Women in Afghanistan

“It's like having a flower, or a rose. You water it and keep it at home for yourself, to look at it and smell it. It [a woman] is not supposed to be taken out of the house to be smelled.” ...

-- Qari Mullah Din Muhammad Hanif, Taliban Minister of Higher Education“If a woman wants to work away from her home and with men, then that is not allowed by our religion and our culture. If we force them to do this they may want to commit suicide.” ... [Read More]

Afghanistan

In the rural areas, administration of justice normally is done by tribal elders. They allegedly conducted hearings according to Islamic law and tribal custom. In such proceedings, allegedly the accused have no right to legal representation, bail, or appeal. In even more remote areas, tribal councils levied harsher, unsanctioned punishments, including flogging or death by shooting or stoning. For example, in Jowzjan province elders sentenced a woman to the death penalty. Subsequently, the AIHRC intervened and the woman was not put to death. AI reported that tribal elders resolved murder cases by ordering the defendant to provide young girls in marriage to the victims' family, in exchange for the murder. ... [Read More]

Rule of Law - US Department of State

Guatemala, Honduras Court Rulings on Contempt Laws Garner PraiseHemispheric human-rights officer says rulings boost freedom of expressionA human-rights officer of the Organization of American States (OAS) praises the judicial systems of Guatemala and Honduras for declaring unconstitutional laws that make criticism of public officials a crime.  (complete text) Bush Praises "Distinguished Service" of Justice O'Connor [Read More]

U.S. First Lady Laura Bush's Trip to Afghanistan

This year, in addition to those more traditional occupations, we sat at a table like this one and it was packed with women from eight different women's business associations. And these women represented everything from livestock to dairy products, with one woman running her own construction company. She has built a dam in Afghanistan! Another woman is the most successful kite-maker and pipe-seller in Kabul. Some of you have read the bestseller (about her). It's called "The Kite Runner." She is doing very well making kites. ... [Read More]