Delaney Expresses Support for Women of Afghanistan

WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6) joined 31 of his congressional colleagues in an open letter of support to the women of Afghanistan. The letter, organized by Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4) will be translated into Dari and Pashtu and distributed across Afghanistan by civil organizations that work with women. On April 5, Afghanistan will hold provincial and presidential elections.

“Around the globe, women are empowering themselves and demanding that they have control over their lives and an equal voice in their community and their country,” said Congressman Delaney. “As a Congress and as a country, we should do everything we can to support the women of the world, including amplifying their voice. I thank Congresswoman McCollum for organizing this letter at this critical time ahead of the elections in Afghanistan. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we should keep the values of equality, justice, and dignity and the forefront of our discussion.”

The letter states, “as you continue to fight for equal opportunity, equal participation, and equal protection under the law, we are committed to standing with you. We firmly believe that expanding women and girls’ access to education, economic enrichment, and social mobility will benefit not only the individual girl, but her whole community.”

The full text of the letter is provided below:

To the Women of Afghanistan:

Over the past 12 years, Afghan women have made enormous strides in political empowerment and participation, education, and health. While this progress has not been without setbacks, you should take pride in what has been accomplished thus far. These achievements will be the foundation of developing a sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

In October 2004, women were able to exercise their right to vote for the first time in decades. There was also significant progress in Afghan law, with the 2007 release of the National Action plan for women and the 2009 enactment of the Elimination of Violence Against Women Act. Twenty-eight percent of the seats in parliament were held by women in 2011. Just last year, women played a major role in representing Afghan civil society at the Tokyo Conference with international donors.

While your progress has been inspiring, we are aware of the tremendous challenges women and girls continue to face. A 2010 study by the Afghan Ministry of Public Health found that twenty-one percent of Afghan girls are married before the age of fifteen. Child marriage significantly raises the risks of girls developing health problems and ends their education far too young.  Only twenty percent of young women between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four can read and write. Afghanistan ranks 158th in maternal mortality with less than a quarter of women have skilled attendants present when giving birth. 

As you continue to fight for equal opportunity, equal participation, and equal protection under the law, we are committed to standing with you. We firmly believe that expanding women and girls’ access to education, economic enrichment, and social mobility will benefit not only the individual girl, but her whole community.

As the international community and the government of Afghanistan move towards the post-2014 era, we pledge to continue to support policies and programs that empower women and girls.

Sincerely,

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