A STEP BACK FOR WOMEN IN AFGHANISTAN
Troubling news from Afghanistan about the controversial law restricting women's lives: Despite opposition from Afghan women - including a brave, historic demonstration - and international outrage, the law was secretly enacted by President Hamid Karzai last week.
At the time the law was in the spotlight, Karzai promised revisions. But as the BBC said about the law as enacted: it “allows a man to withhold food from his wife if she refuses his sexual demands; a woman must get her husband's permission to work; and fathers and grandfathers are given exclusive custody of children.”
Elections in Afghanistan are scheduled for August 20, 2009, and we will continue to follow this story. Secretary of State Clinton has made clear that the U.S. does not support any candidate: “The Afghan people should be commended for their courage in conducting this election despite the stresses of wartime…” she said. “The United States of America remains impartial in this election. We do not support or oppose any particular candidate.”
We will continue to follow this story, and to support the courageous efforts of the women of Afghanistan.
At the time the law was in the spotlight, Karzai promised revisions. But as the BBC said about the law as enacted: it “allows a man to withhold food from his wife if she refuses his sexual demands; a woman must get her husband's permission to work; and fathers and grandfathers are given exclusive custody of children.”
Elections in Afghanistan are scheduled for August 20, 2009, and we will continue to follow this story. Secretary of State Clinton has made clear that the U.S. does not support any candidate: “The Afghan people should be commended for their courage in conducting this election despite the stresses of wartime…” she said. “The United States of America remains impartial in this election. We do not support or oppose any particular candidate.”
We will continue to follow this story, and to support the courageous efforts of the women of Afghanistan.
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Comment by Vivek Jones on September 23, 2009 at 9:34am -
If you think this is bad, wait till the administration goes through with the current re-thinking of its Afghanistan policy, where they are considering "negotiating" with the Taliban; these are the same guys who throw acid on girls going to school.
Where's Hillary to stop this nonsense!!
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