Letter to the Hon. Joe Biden, President of the United States - Protect Afghan Women and Girls

Letter

Dear Mr. President,

In the wake of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, we write to urge your
Administration to develop an interagency plan to preserve the political, economic, social, and
basic human rights of Afghan women and girls. This plan should also address how the United
States will lead international organizations, such as the United Nations, in holding the Taliban
accountable.

American disengagement from Afghanistan puts at risk hard-won gains for Afghan
women and girls. Women earned college degrees, joined the workforce, and participated in
Afghanistan's public life. Last year an estimated 3.5 million girls were in school, with 100,000
women enrolled in public and private universities. Women also began to succeed in business and
government. Last year, the Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported
over 1,000 female entrepreneurs emerged, and women were elected to senior positions in the
Afghan government.

However, lacking a legitimate Afghan government and military forces to protect them,
women and girls are now suffering the predations of a Taliban regime with a track record of
brutalizing, isolating, and denying them life and liberty. Taliban leaders who promised that
women would be treated well under the new government are not upholding those commitments.
Women have been the victims of targeted beatings and killings and are banned from leaving
home without a male guardian. Afghanistan's former government, while flawed, was bound by a
constitution that promoted human rights, and freedom of speech and assembly for both women
and men.

You have committed to press the Taliban to uphold the rights of women and girls, and
you have stated that America will maintain an enduring partnership with the people of
Afghanistan resisting Taliban rule. We will advise, support, and enable those efforts through
legislation and engagement with your Administration. Afghan women and girls need our action
now. We request and look forward to a briefing from the Administration on your plan.

Sincerely,