On April 25, the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing, “Transitioning to Afghan Security Lead: Protecting Afghan women?” Chair Martha Roby (R-AL) and Ranking Member Niki Tsongas (D-MA) heard testimony to examine U.S. programs that aim to promote the security of Afghan women and girls, and strategies to continue recent progress as U.S. security forces transition out of Afghanistan.
In her testimony, Stephanie Sanok, deputy director and senior fellow at the International Security Program Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted current U.S. efforts to improve the security of Afghan women: “With projects at the national, provincial, and community levels, U.S. government programs appear to knit together several different elements that can empower, and advocate for, women. The Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development have lead U.S. government responsibility for many of the women’s initiatives in Afghanistan, many of which focus on increased political, economic, and civic participation, urban development, and capacity-building for the Ministry of Women’s Affairs…Regarding security and access to justice, though, the most promising U.S. government programs aim for an effective rule of law where women can rely on both the informal and the formal sectors. These programs aim to increase involvement of women as police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and other positions in the spectrum of the justice system.”
The following individuals also testified:
