Afghan women: priority or bargaining chip?

Some argue women’s rights are at risk as the US and Afghan governments negotiate with the Taliban.

In Afghanistan, are women's rights a priority or just another political bargaining chip? As Afghan officials seek reconciliation with the Taliban and social conservatives, some analysts argue that any gains the government has made in improving women’s rights are in danger of disappearing. With U.S. plans to withdraw all its troops by 2014, others add that the issue has faded from the President Obama’s top list of priorities for the country.

In this episode of The Stream, we talk to Mariam Atash Nawabi of the US-Afghan Women’s Council; Noorjahan Akbar, co-founder of Young Women for Change; and Fariba Nawa, journalist and author of “Opium Nation.”

What do you think? Has the Afghan government made enough progress in improving women’s rights? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

View the story "Afghan women: priority or bargaining chip? " on StorifyAfghan women: priority or bargaining chip? Some argue women’s rights are at risk as the US and Afghan governments negotiate with the Taliban.Storified by The Stream · Wed, May 16 2012 12:31:40Afghan activists from the women's advocacy group Young Women for Change protest the killing of five women in less than one month during an April 14 Kabul march. This photo reads, "Where is justice? Wake up your conscience!" (Photo via Young Women for Change)undefinedFbcdnMore than ten years after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, activists there are warning of the threats to women's rights as the United States begins preparations to draw down its troops. Women's stories from AfghanistanactionaidukAdvocates for Afghan women's rights have charged that the attention the cause once received from the US government has fallen aside in favour of negotiating the end of the country's occupation.undefinedNytsynIn this clip from 2010, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks about the American commitment to Afghan women after meeting with female ministers from the country. Secretary Clinton Provides Remarks With Afghan Women MinistersstatevideoAl Jazeera's People & Power recently followed several young female activists in Afghanistan who are working to secure rights for women. Afghanistan: Girl PowerA film by Trevor Bormann, Wayne McAllister and ABC More than a decade after the Taliban were driven from power in Afghanistan, the plight...Young Women for Change has released films depicting the challenges women face from street harassment. Below, a clip from "My Voice."My Voice- Traileryoungwomen4changeIn this clip, director Anita Haidary, who is also a co-founder of Young Women for Change, speaks about the fight to improve women's lives in Afghanistan. Anita Haidary '14 on Improving Lives of Afghan Women - Mount Holyoke CollegemountholyokenewsAn advocate for women's rights, Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi is now candidate for the 2014 presidential election. She recently wrote an op-ed warning of the threats that may result from U.S. troops pulling out too soon. She also rejects negotiations with the Taliban. Below, Koofi speaks to a young girl about her work. Young 9 year old activist interviews Afghan MP Fawzia KoofimuslimfeministA recent survey from USAID showed that many indicators of development for women have improved in Afghanistan since 2002-2003. undefinedStaticflickrNetizens called for a renewed focus on the women of Afghanistan, particularly as this month's NATO summit nears."Women's issues are not on the formal agenda at the NATO summit...Afghanistan is poised to send an all-male delegation" http://news.yahoo.com/insight-afghan-women-fade-white-house-focus-exit-184126698.htmlJennifer L. PoznerI fear for what will happen to them when NATO pulls out | #UN: Don't Forget Afghan #Women http://bit.ly/J7b2yv @RFERL #afghanistanThe Power Of One.1 of the most important changes for Afghanistan women has been the new freedom to raise their voices against violence http://ow.ly/aGMehWomen Under SiegeOthers were more critical of the reasons for the rhetoric. They dont need USA to make the women safe, tho RT @amnesty: The US may be leaving #Afghanistan but we won't abandon Afghan women!#mothersdayNiken Budi Astuti100s of Afghan women jailed for 'moral crimes'. So much for 10 years of war "liberating" women: http://bbc.in/GYnT4S #AfghanistanStop the War#US talk abt rights of #Afghanistan women/children wd be more convincing if US weren't quite so busy killing them. #Khilafah#RobertBalesRestore Khilafahsick of journalists wanting to hear "sad" perspective of Afghan women. Is it so strange to hear Afghan men make smart intelligent remarks?Brishkay

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Afghan women: priority or bargaining chip?

Afghan women: priority or bargaining chip?

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