FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, August 7, 2009
Contact: Bethany Lesser (Gillibrand) 202-224-3873; Andy Fisher (Lugar) 224-2079, Kevin Kelly (Collins) 202-224-2523; Max Croes (Begich) 202-224-9578; Sue Walitsky (Cardin) 202-224-4524
GILLIBRAND LEADS SENATE BI-PARTISAN COALITION URGING AFGHANISTAN TO ENSURE WOMEN CANDIDATES AND VOTERS FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE AUGUST 20TH ELECTIONS
Senate Passes Resolution Urging Afghanistan to Address Security Threats Facing Women Voters and Candidates
Millions of Women Will Head to the Polls on Election Day
Washington, DC – As women running for political office in Afghanistan face threats and intimidation leading up to the country’s elections on August 20th, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) led a bi-partisan coalition of lawmakers urging the government in Afghanistan to hold fair and safe elections for Afghan women candidates and voters.
The Senate today passed a resolution introduced by Senator Gillibrand, along with ten members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which called on the Afghan government to work with women leaders and human rights organizations to ensure that women have a seat in formal committees charged with monitoring election security, women candidates have access to media outlets, and women voters have adequate security and staff at female polling stations on Election Day.
Senator Gillibrand said, “Afghan women who run for office literally put their lives on the line. These trailblazing candidates, along with women voters, deserve protection and safety as they exercise their right to vote and pave the path towards an accountable government and regional peace. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I stand firmly in support of these brave women who won’t back down from exercising their human rights. I urge the Afghan government to let women’s voices be heard.”
Senator Kerry said, “In a very short time, the women of Afghanistan have traveled a remarkable distance. Today, hundreds of Afghan women are standing for election in provincial councils. They are putting their lives and safety on the line to ensure that their voices are heard. Their endurance and bravery are an example to all of us, and an enormous asset to all the Afghan people. I wish them luck at the polls, and I look forward to working with them as elected officials.”
"As part of any democracy, women play a vital role in its success. We fully support and stand with the women of Afghanistan as they participate in the democratic process as voters and candidates. We hope that the winning candidate will embrace the rights of all the people of Afghanistan, and will have an inclusive government by including more women in roles of responsibility," Senator Lugar said.
“The protection of the rights of women in Afghanistan and their full participation in the electoral process is critical to the reconstruction of a democratic Afghanistan,” Senator Collins said. “I remain concerned that the equal treatment of women has not been fully established in Afghanistan. Our resolution clearly states that the United States is committed to seeing the Afghan government allow and encourage the participation of women in elections, including as candidates.”
“It will be impossible for Afghanistan to move forward in growing its democracy and enhancing its human rights record until women are given an equal path to participation as candidates and voters. This path must be safe and free from violence or intimidation for all,” said Senator Cardin.
“The right for a woman to participate fully in government is an integral step towards a fair, free and successful democratic process,” Senator Landrieu said. “Working with the women of Afghanistan to exercise their rights should be the cornerstone of our outreach to the country. I am moved by the risks these women are taking to let their voices be heard. I implore the government of Afghanistan to do everything in its power to ensure that these brave women are given the opportunity to represent their people.”
“Afghan women are still lacking many of the basic opportunities that we consider fundamental rights, from the ability to get an education to the ability to participate in their government. That inequity needs to change,” Senator Lautenberg said. “There are courageous Afghan women who are standing up to ensure the next generation of women has a brighter future. This resolution shows the United States is clearly behind them.”
“When I was in Afghanistan this spring visiting our troops, I was pleased to witness slow but steady progress by Afghan women, including an innovation program in which many were becoming police officers,” said Senator Begich. “I strongly support American efforts to encourage fair and safe elections in Afghanistan for female candidates and I commend Senator Gillibrand for her leadership on this issue.”
According to a recent report by the Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission, there have been at least 15 complaints from female candidates about intimidation. The Ministry of Interior took steps to assign an officer to any female provincial candidate who requested one.
With only one female governor in Afghanistan, Afghan women are overwhelmingly under-represented in the political sphere. Until more women serve in higher office, Afghanistan will not begin to solve its illiteracy and under-age marriage problems.
Currently, two women candidates are running for president while more than 330 are running in the provincial council elections. Of the 4.5 million new voters who have registered for the first time in this year's polls, approximately 38% are female.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and Mark Begich (D-AK).
The full text of the Senate resolution is attached to this release.