All female U.S. senators call on Biden to protect Afghan women and girls following U.S. military withdrawal

In their letter, the senators noted that U.S. disengagement from Afghanistan threatens some of “hard-won gains” for Afghan women and girls’ participation in public life. Last year, for instance, an estimated 3.5 million girls were in school, with 100,000 women who attended public and private universities. 

Women also began to thrive in the business and government sector in the last year, the senators added in the letter. The Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that more than 1,000 female entrepreneurs emerged, and women were elected to senior government positions. 

However, without a “legitimate” Afghan government and military forces to protect them, women and girls now face the threat of the Taliban regime that has historically brutalized, isolated and denied them of their rights, the senators said in the letter. 

The senators noted that Taliban leaders are not upholding promises to ensure the safety of women under the new government. 

Following the country’s transfer of power to the group in August, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid vowed not to infringe on women’s rights. Mujahid said the group was committed to upholding their rights within the framework of Shariah law and would allow women to study and work, according to NBC News.

But women have often been subject to targeted killings, beatings and are prohibited from leaving home without a male guardian, the senators said. For instance, photos surfaced in August showing bloodied women and children beaten by Taliban fighters that cracked down on a protest.

“Afghan women and girls need our action now,” the senators said in the letter, adding that they request a briefing from the Biden administration on its interagency plan.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/04/female-senators-call-on-biden-to-protect-afghan-women-and-girls.html