U.S.-Afghan Women's Council Meeting in Afghanistan
Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky led a delegation of high-level U.S. government officials and private sector representatives to Kabul on January 8 and 9 where she convened the second meeting of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, the first to be held in Afghanistan. The delegation focused on projects to assist Afghan women in areas such as women’s development centers, literacy, political participation, job skills training and small business development. A list of U.S. delegation members is below. In addition, the Council hosted a digital video conference from Kabul for a discussion with supporters of Afghan women in New York City, Washington, DC, and Kabul. Members of the delegation met with representatives of international and Afghan non-governmental organizations and made a number of site visits. Under Secretary Dobriansky also met with Afghan officials to discuss trafficking in persons, counternarcotics activities, police and justice reform, and the needs of displaced persons and refugees. She also consulted with officials of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission and discuss U.S. assistance in efforts to develop an Afghan Conservation Corps. In all her meetings she underscored the continued U.S. commitment to the government and people of Afghanistan. The Council, which is co-chaired by Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah, Minister of Women’s Affairs Habiba Sarabi, and Under Secretary Dobriansky, is dedicated to creating public-private partnerships to mobilize resources that facilitate Afghan women’s involvement in rebuilding their country. The first meeting of the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council was held in Washington, DC on April 24, 2002. Presidents George W. Bush and Hamid Karzai launched the Council in January 2002 on the occasion of President Karzai’s visit to Washington, DC. Remarks U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council Delegation Delegation Members:
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