Murkowski: Protecting Women is “Key Measuring Stick” for Afghanistan Progress
Senator Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Women’s Rights
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Lisa Murkowski today joined forces with six U.S. Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Afghan Women and Girls Security Support Act that would require the Pentagon to put specific processes into place protecting women and girls in Afghanistan – and make that a condition of American forces transitioning out of the country.
“A country and a culture can be judged by how it treats the vulnerable within its borders, and the security of women is a serious concern we must watch,” said Murkowski. “This legislation would make sure that this key measuring stick of our accomplishments in Afghanistan is made a specific priority for our armed forces as the Afghanistan government takes a more prominent and permanent role in their region.”
The legislation sponsored by Senators Robert Casey (D-PA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillebrand (D-NY), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) would:
- Monitor the status of women’s security during and after transition.
- Improve gender responsiveness among Afghan National Security Forces.
- Increase recruitment and retention of women in the Afghan National Security Forces.
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