The United States invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. We overthrew the Islamic Taliban regime in retaliation for harboring Osama bin Ladin, the man behind the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

 

Under the Taliban regime, a regressive form of religion and coercion restricted women’s rights, freedom, and dignity. Women were not visible in public life. Girls were banned from going to school and women were not allowed to work outside of their homes. Women could not appear in public without mandatory burqa coverings and they also had to have a male escort. If a woman was caught violating the rules, she could be flogged in public or even executed. Women’s access to health care, education and jobs was restricted.

 

After the Afghanistan Constitution was adapted in 2004, women, at least in the urban areas, gained many freedoms. Girls were allowed to go to school and attendance swelled. Health care institutions were constructed. Life expectancy for women increased. Women began to serve in government. Women could hold jobs outside of the home.

 

We at The Interfaith Peace Project urge the United States government to use whatever leverage it has to protect the rights and needs of Afghan women as we withdraw our forces from the country. Our government should require that women’s rights are respected in order for Afghanistan to receive aid from the United States. We should, at a minimum, require women to have access to primary and secondary education and health care; be allowed to venture out of the house without a male relative; and not be disqualified from working. We should require that anyone who violates an Afghan woman’s rights or anyone who murders or commits violence against a woman is brought to justice and put into prison. The United States should provide asylum visas to women who are targets. We should also support NGOs that provide shelters, medical aid and education.