Letter to Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State

Letter

Ahead of the Bonn Conference on International Development Policy in Bonn, Germany, U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5) led a bipartisan, bicameral group of 26 female Congressional members in writing to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The letter highlights the United States' unique ability to assure that Afghan women are integrated in discussions regarding the future of their country. Women are nearly one half of the Afghan population and are an essential part of Afghanistan's economic and security needs. Nearly one-quarter of Afghanistan's official delegation to the Bonn Conference will be made up of Afghan women.

To read the letter -

Dear Secretary Clinton,

Thank you for your continued leadership on women's participation in Afghanistan's political and economic future. We are writing to express our views on the upcoming conference in Bonn, Germany, and the role the United States can play to ensure that the progress made by Afghan women over the last decade is not diminished. As you know, the conference comes at a critical time and presents an opportunity to ensure that the Afghanistan that moves forward is one that is united, secure, and self-sustaining.

We believe Afghan women are central to this goal. Representing nearly half of the country's population, Afghan women are the key to the nation's future economic and security successes. History shows that "economically active" Afghan women have the ability to lift their families, the provinces, and the nation out of poverty and despair. In fact, until the early 1990s, Afghan women were critical participants in Afghanistan's development strategy, serving as business owners, nurses, doctors, teachers, and journalists.

It is Afghan women have borne the brunt of extremism -- experiencing the world's second highest maternal and infant morality rates and illiteracy rates exceeding 85 percent of all women and girls. The inability of women to participate at any of government has only exacerbated their situation. Since 2001, women have made their way back to government. Yet, their gains are fragile. Recent events, including the assassination of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, only serve to underscore their point. Moreover, they demonstrate that the progress made by women under the Afghan Constitution will only diminish without the United States' and the international community's vigilance.

It is against this backdrop that we seek your support. Afghan women yearn for peace and security -- yet they're concerned. They welcome assurances from abroad, but, ultimately, their progress will only be safeguarded if the women themselves are present, in large enough numbers, at every conference, jirga, or negotiation where decisions about their future are being made. With vibrant networks throughout the provinces, Afghan women are eager to do their part in building a national consensus for peace. The upcoming conference provides the international community and particularly the United States with a unique opportunity to advocate for a more inclusive approach to reconciliation that will open avenues for women's meaningful inclusion and put Afghanistan firmly on the path of peace and prosperity.

We believe that it is only through the commitment by the Afghan government and the nation's communities that change will occur. As you participate in the Bonn Conference, know that we stand ready to work with you in any capacity to ensure that meaningful reform takes place.

Sincerely,

Kay Bailey Hutchison
Cathy Rodgers
Barbara Mikulski
Donna Edwards
Dianne Feinstein
Susan Davis
Olympia Snowe
Carolyn Maloney
Mary Landrieu
Cynthia Lummis
Susan Collins
Jean Schmidt
Lisa Murkowski
Kathy Hochul
Amy Klobuchar
Tammy Baldwin
Jeanne Shaheen
Niki Tsongas
Kelly Ayotte
Gwen Moore
Barbara Boxer
Jaime Beutler
Patty Murray
Shelley Capito
Kirsten Gillibrand
Claire McCaskill