[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 170 (Friday, November 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2385-E2386]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMENDING AFGHAN WOMEN FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN AFGHAN GOVERNMENT 
                           AND CIVIL SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today 
to support H. Res. 393, commending Afghan women for their participation 
in Afghan government and civil society, encouraging the inclusion of 
Afghan women in the political and economic life of Afghanistan, and 
advocating the protection of the human rights of all Afghan women in 
their Constitution.
  As we are all aware, the women of Afghanistan suffered horrible 
tragedies under the Taliban regime. The Afghan people have since 
rejected the Taliban and are in the process of building a free and 
democratic republic and repairing the damage. These efforts have 
improved the daily lives of all Afghan citizens,

[[Page E2386]]

particularly Afghan women, children, and refugees.
  More Afghan girls are attending school than ever before in the 
history of Afghanistan. Millions more adult women are either returning 
to school to make up for being forbidden to attend school during the 
Taliban regime, or taking vocational training classes to prepare for 
the job market. Now, women in Afghanistan are able to work outside the 
home and hold positions in all levels of government and in private 
sector organizations, something unheard of during the Taliban regime.
  In order for women to fully participate in Afghan society, they must 
have the right to vote, the right to run for office, equality of 
opportunity, and access to health care, education, and employment. This 
is why I am joined by my colleagues today to advocate that women's 
human rights should be guaranteed in the Afghanistan Constitution.
  I have traveled to Afghanistan and seen the plight of these women. I 
have heard their stories of hardships and their wishes for a better 
life for them and their children. I support this resolution because I 
know how timely and vital it is for the future of Afghani women to have 
these rights. The United States is actively involved in encouraging the 
full inclusion and participation of Afghan women in the political and 
economic life of their country, and must continue to do so throughout 
the reconstruction process. We must continue to urge the participation 
of women in the continued efforts toward a lasting peace in 
Afghanistan.

                          ____________________