Women of D.C. and the women of Afghanistan

The congressional Afghan Women’s Task Force - which is co-chaired by Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Republican of Washington, and Representative Donna Edwards, Democrat of Maryland - wants to make sure that women “play a meaningful role in the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Plan.’’ It’s not just about preserving women’s rights, said Rodgers. Preserving those rights is a way to fight terrorism.

“The terrorists gain power by oppressing women,’’ said Rodgers. “As we stand by women, we are undermining the terrorist stranglehold.’’

Representative Niki Tsongas, Democrat of Massachusetts, who is also on the task force, said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will play a leading role when it comes to keeping the faith with Afghan women. Clinton has made it a personal cause, declaring it essential “that women’s rights and women’s opportunities are not sacrificed or trampled on in the reconciliation process.’’ She also promised Afghan women leaders that “we will not abandon you, we will stand with you always.’’

But even with Clinton’s strong backing, Tsongas said, it’s important to keep pressure on the Obama administration. She has taken four trips to Afghanistan with groups of Republican and Democratic women. The snippets of hope and progress seen on those visits linger, she said. During a trip over Mother’s Day weekend, the American delegation met with Afghan women who were training to become helicopter pilots. They visited a school where young girls dream of becoming doctors, teachers, and nurses. They also met with the Afghan minister of health, a woman who is committed to improving health care and living standards for women and children.

“The integrity of our effort demands that we not walk away from those gains,’’ said Tsongas.

Rodgers, who was also on the trip, described it as “a different world, like you’re going back in time. One of my takeaways was just how difficult the assignment is. We have to be careful about imposing American ways on the people of Afghanistan.’’