| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC March 6, 2006 International Women's Day Visit of Women Parliamentarians from Iraq and AfghanistanThe Department will commemorate International Women’s Day, March 8, by honoring the achievements of Iraqi and Afghan women in politics. At the invitation of Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, delegations of Iraqi and Afghan women leaders will visit Washington, March 6-9 to participate in a program of consultations and training opportunities in support of this year’s theme, "Women in Politics/Women and Political Participation." The 10-member Iraqi delegation, headed by the Minister of Municipalities and Public Works, includes newly-elected members of Parliament and leaders of prominent Iraqi women’s NGOs. The Afghan delegation is comprised of six newly-elected members of both houses of Parliament who represent various regions. These Iraqi and Afghan professional women represent the millions of others in their homelands who have inspired the international community with their courage, determination and faith in the force of freedom Secretary Rice will meet with the delegations to exchange ideas on how the United States can further assist in the empowerment of women in the political and civic life of their emerging democracies. The delegations will also be the guests at events hosted by Under Secretaries Karen Hughes and Dobriansky, the World Bank, USAID, the Heritage Foundation and Virginia local and Maryland state government offices. 2006/246
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