The Zonta USA Caucus, part of Zonta International, is concerned about the impact of the situation in Afghanistan on all the women and girls who live there. From 2002-2008, we supported the health and education of women and girls in Afghanistan in collaboration with UNICEF and the Afghan Institute of Learning. We have seen more than 24,000 women educated and treated through our efforts. This work is now all at risk. We urge the administration to respond with the following actions immediately.
Prioritize the evacuation of women’s rights defenders, particularly journalists and others already being targeted for violence. Provide increased security for those departing. Suspend bureaucratic requirements for visas and loosen eligibility requirements. Greatly expand resources for resettling refugees in the U.S. Support those women who stay behind in order to continue peacebuilding efforts. Ensure that aid workers have access to those needing services. Hold the Taliban accountable for any violations of promises they’ve made to protect rights of women and insist that Afghanistan women’s voices are not silenced. Afford the same services to Afghanistan women translators who come to the U.S. that our veterans are given. Consult with women leaders in Afghanistan and those who are refugees in other countries to determine the best courses of action to empower women according to their culture. The U.S. has a responsibility to all the women and girls in Afghanistan to see that their rights are not jeopardized by the decision to withdraw troops from the country.
Donna Raycraft
Concord