On March 25th Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D MA-3) and a bipartisan group of several other House members met with Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan. The meeting, held in private on Capitol Hill, was the result of a request made by Tsongas and several of her other colleagues. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current situation for Afghan women, as well as discuss some initiatives to prevent the regression of the progress that Afghan women have made in recent years. Earlier this day President Ghani addressed a joint session of Congress, which Congresswoman Tsongas attended. In his speech to Congress Ghani stressed the importance of educational and economic opportunities for Afghan women in order to not regress on the progress that has been made. He also discussed the importance of changing the cultural mindset towards women in Afghanistan. Following the meeting Representative Tsongas and Secretary of State John Kerry were invited to dinner with President Ghani the following week.
Representative Tsongas has a deep commitment to U.S.-Afghan relations. She serves as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and chair to the Afghan Women’s Task Force, and has made over six trips to Afghanistan in her tenure as a Representative. Activities on these trips have included meeting with U.S. troops, as well as female members of parliament, female journalists and heads of Afghan organizations. Tsongas says that “the situation in Afghanistan remains fragile and highly complicated yet there is a growing sense of confidence, deeply rooted in the recently held and very positive national elections”. Her efforts towards the empowerment of Afghan women socially and economically are certainly not unwarranted. Nearly 85% of women in Afghanistan receive no formal education and have a life expectancy of roughly 50 years. Forced early marriage is a common practice as well, with roughly 60% of Afghan women marrying (often much older men) by the time they are 16. These facts coupled with the diminished economic opportunities for women stemming from the nation’s religious and cultural views of them, makes life extremely difficult for Afghan women. It must also be noted that according to the Afghan Constitution of 2004, men and women are both equal under the law. However, in practice such equality seldom exists. Recently, great strides have been made for Afghan Women in terms of their election into offices, but much more still needs to be done.
Representative Tsongas’s dedication to this issue may not have any legislative consequences for the United States, but is nonetheless very important. It represents her using her influence to draw attention to an important issue that is clearly personal to her in a non-partisan and wholly benevolent way. In terms of political support back home, I think such meetings with Afghan heads of state like the one conducted last month can only help her. Tsongas represents a district that throughout recent decades has been predominately blue. This being the case most voters in this district are likely to share her sentiments about Afghan women and therefore vote for her when they go to the polls. In summary I would say that this is a great example of the positive influence representatives can have on current and pertinent issues, beyond those dealing strictly with partisan legislating.
Such discussion is positive,and the issue is significant, yet how will such talks carry back over to Afghanistan? Such discrimination is ingrained into the culture and many religious practices of the nation, and will be a serious obstacle in making attempts at equality.
Looking at this, I have no real reason to be against this. Relations with Afghanistan is poor at best. We all know this. Tsongas and other House members meeting with the President of Afghanistan is a quantum leap forward. Any kind of diplomatic talks are always the best. Keep the troops off the ground. And it seems the talks were substantial as they hit on a hot issue; women’s rights and what not. Good post and no problems with it.
This is interesting. I am not sure that I support this initiative by the congresswoman. Following the recent actions of the Israeli president I am concerned about congress’s relationship with foreign leaders. I do not think it is the place of congressmen or congresswomen to be holding meetings with leaders of other nations. It seems to me that they are overstepping their powers.
This is a great topic. In a global world our international relations with other nations are vital. The issues of educational and economic opportunities for women all over the globe continue to be a fight that serve the greater interests of all. This initiative enforces the ideals of her blue district.
In todays global world it is the responsibility of legislators to understand how cross sectional political issues are. This was an important meeting because increased educational and economic opportunities for all women across the globe is important. This also strengthens support Tsongas’s blue district.
There is such little recognition of the plight of Afghan women that it’s almost completely nonexistent as far as we in the United States are concerned. The fact that Tsongas is using her influence and publicity to call attention to it is so important. The staggering inequality that faces Afghan women should be an issue that everyone everywhere cares about. To think that a woman in Afghanistan the same age as me has most likely been married for over 4 years and now has children and no education is deeply saddening. The women and young girls deserve so much better than the lives they have and the men deserve empowered and educated mothers, sisters, daughters and wives.
This article interested me for the pure fact that Congress met with the Afghanistan President. My main interest is that the President would even sit down with Congress, I thought most of the foreign relations were handled by the executive branch with Congress having its part in approving treaties. It shocked me that in this case it didn’t seem there was anyone from the executive branch in this meeting which shocked me and showed me that the pull of Congress seems to be more far reaching then ever before. I also think it was a powerful tool for Congresswomen Tsangas to meet with the Afghanistan President, because hearing from a women about women’s rights I think is a sound strategy to achieve a meaningful change.
This is such and empowering post to read. I am glad that Congresswoman Tsongas has taken such initiative in this area and really made an effort to improve things. I do find it interesting that this is being handled by members of the House and not the Senate, where I feel the Foreign Affairs committee would be more relevant. Nonetheless, it is amazing to see something actually being done about this issue and I think the right steps are being taken to make change possible.
I can only imagine how much more fragile the situation is in Afghanistan since American troops officially pulled out of the country late last year. I commend Congresswoman Tsongas on her efforts on behalf of the women of Afghanistan. Studies show that the less oppressive society is to women, the better society is as a whole. The status of women is vital in predicting the future of Afghanistan. In the coming years hopefully more women will be attending schools and participating to public life. But if women are once again demoted into being second class citizens, that could spell disaster for the future of Afghanistan.
Increasing women’s access to education is vital to improving the general development of countries. When women are educated and politically empowered, they are likely to start a business, have fewer, healthier children, and organize against corruption. There is evidence for this from india, bangladesh, and several african countries. Tsongas’ support for afghan women shows her grasp of global developmental policy.
It is interesting to see the change of Afghan culture over the years. 15 years ago women in Afghanistan had little to no rights. Although Afghan Constitution of 2004 has not been as enforced as many people would have liked, it was still a huge step forward for women’s rights. Congresswomen Tsongas is doing a great job shedding light on this issue. Hopefully her work will help create legislation in Afghanistan that will further enforce gender equality and we will see a rise in educated women and a decrease in forced arranged marriages.
It is great to see Congresswoman Tsongas using her influence, and stature to draw the spotlight on this issue. The treatment of Afghan women is key to stabilizing the region, along with turning the country in a function asset to the United States. She sees the longterm goal, and big picture with this issue. Very well written blog.
Politics aside, I find it great that women are working together to better each other. In a time where to be powerful as a woman is to compete to be the best, it is humbling to see a woman with a goal of helping others. I think that the Afghan women are making slow steps toward becoming educated and free beings, and I hope their situation only improves from here. I think that their education will not only further them, but their country as a whole, as well as having an impact on the global economy.
I’m curious as to why Tsongas is headlining this as an issue which her constituency wants to get involved with. As commendable and necessary as it is to help Africa out of their third world status, I think it may be even more important still to create long term goals and ways to achieve them, rather than just educate on their misfortunes. However I guess do whatever you need to do to keep your constituency happy.
Meeting with the president of Afghanistan is a very bold decision by Tsongas. It does not seem to match the general view of her constituents. However, if relations can be improved through this process, it could benefit Tsongas and future policy.
Though I’m surprised to see a member of the House of Representatives engaging in such direct foreign policy, I am pleased about the stand that Congresswoman Tsongas is taking on this issue. Afghan women have been oppressed for a long time and it inspires hope in me to know that someone is working to help them, finally. I’m not so sure her constituents will appreciate her putting in effort outside their district, let alone outside their country. But it’s a bold move and I applaud it.