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Women and the Future of Democracy in Afghanistan: The Work of the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council
Date:October 18, 2005
Time:2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker(s):

H.E. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Afghanistan

H.E. Dr. Massouda Jalal
Minister of Women?s Affairs,
Afghanistan

The Honorable Paula Dobriansky
Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Host(s):James A. Phillips
Research Fellow,
Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis
Institute for International Studies,
The Heritage Foundation
Details:

Location: The Heritage Foundation's Lehrman Auditorium

In September 2005, Afghan women made history by turning out to vote at polling stations in schools, mosques, and tents, defying a Taliban boycott call and militant attacks to vote for a new parliament. Afghan women played a prominent role in this election – as both candidates and voters – taking a critical step in starting a democracy. Women have made enormous progress in post-Taliban society, but many Americans are unaware of the role that public-private partnerships play in setting the stage for democracy. As part of the rebuilding of Afghanistan in the post-Taliban era, President Bush and President Karzai established the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council in January 2002. The Council works to advance women’s roles and opportunities in a new and free Afghanistan. A public-private partnership, the Council focuses on four key areas: Political Participation and Legal Reform, Economic Empowerment, Education, and Health.

You are invited to meet the three co-chairs of the USAWC – Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Abdullah and Minister of Women’s Affairs Masuda Jalal – to learn more about their efforts to strengthen democracy in Afghanistan today.

 
 
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