U.S. Pulls Back from Push for Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

Tuesday, March 08, 2011
(photo: B.K. Bangash, AP)
Saying it’s time to be realistic about foreign policy goals, U.S. officials are downgrading the importance of achieving certain benchmarks for women’s rights in Afghanistan, as President Hamid Karzai’s government courts peace with insurgents.
 
J. Alexander Their, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s office in Afghanistan, told The Washington Post: “The women’s issue is one where we need hardheaded realism. There are things we can do, and do well. But if we become unrealistic and overfocused . . . we get ourselves in trouble.”
 
Another U.S. official was more blunt, saying: “Gender issues are going to have to take a back seat to other priorities.”
 
In an effort to compromise with conservatives, the Karzai government has drafted rules that would bar private safe houses for women fleeing abuse. Women would be forced to seek refuge in public shelters, where they would be required to take medical examinations and they could be evicted if their families demand their return. The shelters also would come under direct control of the Afghan government for the first time.
 
Women’s advocates worry that what progress has been made in Afghanistan will be rolled back as Karzai and Washington seek to make peace with the Taliban.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
 

Comments

MK Ultra 13 years ago
Why is the US pulling back from pushing fro women's rights in Afghanistan? Is it because it now has to push for women's rights in its own military? At the rate female soldiers are being raped that would be a good idea. When they're done fixing women's rights in the military, then, they can start in the work place where women make at least 25% less than their male counterparts. And they can take it from then. Oh, by I digress. Back to the women of Afghanistan and their rights. How is this pulling back now going to affect the women being murdered in night raids and drone attacks? Are those going to double or triple now? Since, they seem to be targeting little boys now, 6 and 9 at a time, better make sure and start shooting girls too. You wouldn't wanna discriminate them in that area too. What a freaking joke the US is! Pretending to do for others what it can't even do for itself and covering its war crimes, it's crimes against humanity, the theft, the pillage and the imperialism behind women's rights. Shame on you!

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