[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 281 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 281

Commending and urging increased support for organizations led by Afghan 
  women that are providing substantial education, health, and relief 
  services during a time of humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and in 
Afghan refugee areas in neighboring countries, and for the inclusion of 
        women in any new government established in that nation.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            November 7, 2001

    Ms. Slaughter (for herself and Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) submitted the 
     following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                        International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Commending and urging increased support for organizations led by Afghan 
  women that are providing substantial education, health, and relief 
  services during a time of humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and in 
Afghan refugee areas in neighboring countries, and for the inclusion of 
        women in any new government established in that nation.

Whereas prior to the Taliban control of Afghanistan in 1996, Afghan women 
        exercised their rights as citizens, and were permitted to be educated 
        and employed and to participate fully in all aspects of public life, 
        including government, health care, and education;
Whereas under Taliban control of Afghanistan, women have been banished from the 
        work force and from educational institutions, prohibited from leaving 
        their homes unless accompanied by a close male relative, forced to wear 
        the burqa, a garment which completely shrouds the body, and stripped of 
        their basic human rights;
Whereas non-profit organizations led by Afghan women are providing substantial 
        education, health, and relief services to women and girls living as 
        refugees in Pakistan and Afghanistan;
Whereas these organizations have the capacity to help larger numbers of Afghan 
        women and girls if they are provided with additional resources; and
Whereas the future of a peaceful, stable, and democratic Afghanistan depends 
        upon respect for human rights, particularly the rights of women: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the grave humanitarian crisis that existed 
        in Afghanistan before the terrorist attacks on the United 
        States on September 11, 2001, and that has since been 
        exacerbated;
            (2) commends the heroic work of organizations led by Afghan 
        women that have persevered during this time of crisis to assist 
        very vulnerable Afghan women and their families;
            (3) urges the Secretary of State to support, and the United 
        Nations to provide direct and indirect funding to, these 
        organizations in order to strengthen their ability to deliver 
        services during this tragic humanitarian crisis and to enhance 
        their role in fostering a more civil society;
            (4) urges the President to direct the international 
        coalition engaged in combating terrorism in Afghanistan to 
        protect women's rights as the coalition attempts to provide 
        humanitarian relief to the people of Afghanistan; and
            (5) urges the President to encourage that any new 
        government established in Afghanistan include women as leaders 
        and as full and active participants.
                                 <all>