Washington, D.C. – Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Co-Chairs of the Afghan Women’s Task Force, released a joint statement this evening following their meeting with U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Marc Grossman.

“Our meeting with Ambassador Grossman could not have come at a more critical time, following Secretary Clinton’s remarks with President Karzai and her trip over the weekend throughout Central Asia. The meeting confirmed what we have long advocated; the regional community must remain supportive of stability in Afghanistan as led by the Afghan people and that this process must include women. We fully expect President Karzai to meet his commitment that reconciliation talks, including those in Istanbul and at the Bonn Conference in December, comprise at least twenty-five percent women. This is the only way to ensure that women can protect their interests and expand their economic opportunities, both of which are critical to guaranteeing the long-term peace and sustainability of Afghanistan for all Afghans.”
 

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