IV

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;
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•HRES 281 IH

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

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) recognizes the grave humanitarian crisis

3 that existed in Afghanistan before the terrorist at4 tacks on the United States on September 11, 2001,

5 and that has since been exacerbated;

6 (2) commends the heroic work of organizations

7 led by Afghan women that have persevered during

8 this time of crisis to assist very vulnerable Afghan

9 women and their families;

10 (3) urges the Secretary of State to support, and

11 the United Nations to provide direct and indirect

12 funding to, these organizations in order to strength-
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•HRES 281 IH

1 en their ability to deliver services during this tragic

2 humanitarian crisis and to enhance their role in fos3 tering a more civil society;

4 (4) urges the President to direct the inter5 national coalition engaged in combating terrorism in

6 Afghanistan to protect women’s rights as the coali7 tion attempts to provide humanitarian relief to the

8 people of Afghanistan; and

9 (5) urges the President to encourage that any

10 new government established in Afghanistan include

11 women as leaders and as full and active participants.

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