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.
More About the Speakers
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
Hosted By
James Phillips
Senior Research Fellow for Middle Eastern Affairs
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