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Bagram PRT host women's affair meeting

  • Published
  • By Capt. Toni Tones
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan --  Education, employment and security were the common themes addressed by eight influential Afghan women during a women's affair seminar here hosted by the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Business owners, government leaders, educators, multi-media and non-governmental organization representatives from Kabul, Kapisa and Parwan provinces met with Suzie Schwartz, wife of Gen. Norton Schwartz, U.S. Transportation Command commander, and openly discussed women affairs in Afghanistan.

"Kate," a Kabul multi-media representative, who lived in the Unites States and recently returned to Afghanistan, stated that health is the primary concern with education being secondary.

"There are 85,000 widows trying to do everything for their families, but there is no money," said Kate. "What can they do if they can't feed themselves and their children?"

"Mary," another Kabul multi-media representative, who has lived in Afghanistan her entire life, disagreed stating security is the primary concern for Afghan women.

"Where there's no security, there is no education, no health, and no employment," said Mary. "The Afghan women are used by politicians to get foreign aid money, but our conditions have not improved."

"Jan," an up-and-coming NGO representative echoes both women's comments, but says all three are equally important and must be addressed.

"It's circular--education, employment and security--each problem feeds itself," said Jan.
"If you have no work, you can't get medicine. If you have no education, you can't get work. Without security, you can't have anything. We (Afghanistan) have bad neighbors, and if the United States leaves, we won't have any security."

In 2001, the Taliban were removed from power as a result of U.S.-led operations.

"Three issues resulted from the Taliban era - terrorism, narcotics and women's rights," said Mary. "Since then, measures have been taken to decrease terrorism and narcotics, but very little change has occurred for women's rights."

"Lots of promises were made--to include some by the U.S.," added "Sally," a refugee and women's issues advocate who lived in the United States. "Among them was the promise to free Afghan women....that's a big statement. There was an expectation of political and social liberation. Yes, we now have representation in parliament and other governmental agencies, but there's been little change in the economic and education arenas. There needs to be a dramatic change in agenda by the international community."

Although Afghanistan is a male-dominated society, the women are sick of the conflict and want to see change, said Lt. Col. Bill Andersen, Bagram PRT commander.

"I spoke to the governors of Parwan and Kapisa provinces about my plans to be personally involved in women's affairs and it seemed to be well accepted," said Colonel Andersen. "My team will ensure female contractors have the opportunity compete for projects, female entrepreneurs have access to small business opportunities, and females have the opportunity to get an education through the development of dorms and schools, and book purchases.

"This is their society and culture, and they will address theses issues at their own time and pace," added Colonel Andersen. "In the meantime, we are here to help facilitate the development of a stable and secure environment for all Afghans--men and women."