Joined by War–Women’s rights in today’s Afghanistan

For nearly a decade, Americans and Afghans have been joined by conflict. In the first years of the war, images of Afghan girls returning to the classroom were a heartening change from the years of Taliban brutality. Engaging the women of Afghanistan is critical shaping a modern, democratic Afghanistan. Yet local laws have again become more conservative. And strong development benchmarks for women have waned. Now, with talk of possible reconciliation with the Taliban, some wonder: do women’s rights in Afghanistan still matter?

Audiences in Washington DC and Kabul discuss how women’s lives have changed post-Taliban rule and ask if their rights and interests are now being sacrificed in the name of security.

Guests include:

• Michelle Barsa is the lead advocate on Afghanistan at The Institute for Inclusive Security, where she focuses on expanding the role for women in Afghanistan's peace and reconstruction processes.

• Anita McBride is a member of the US-Afghan Women's Council, and the Executive in Residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University's School of Public Affairs. She also served as chief of staff to former first lady Mrs. Laura Bush.

• Dr. Sima Samar is a 2008 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award Laureate, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and United Nations Special Reporter on the situation of human rights in Sudan.

• Dr. Safia Sidiqi is a former member of Afghanistan's Parliament. Previously, she ran a legal advice bureau in Canada for Afghan women.

Original airdate: May 2011

This is a joint production by America Abroad Media, WAMU 88.5 FM, and Radio Killid Afghanistan.