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Help Afghan Girls

Sponsored by: United Nations Foundation

 

Schools torched. Classrooms hit with poison gas. Acid thrown in their faces. Girls risk life and limb to learn even as attacks by insurgents mount.

You can help: The Afghan Women Empowerment Act would fund educational opportunities and keep them safe. Please take 1 minute to help girls in Afghanistan - sign the petition below and tell a friend.

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Despite efforts by the U.S. government, the United Nations, and others to improve the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan, most still do not enjoy even basic human rights.

That is why I am writing to urge you to become a co-sponsor of The Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2009 (S. 229) introduced by Barbara Boxer (D-CA). If passed, this bill will strengthen and empower women and girls in Afghanistan by providing critical resources to non-governmental organizations working to promote literacy education, provide essential health care services, protect women and girls from trafficking, abuse and sexual violence, and to assist especially vulnerable populations such as widows and orphans.

This bill is critical as the maternal death rate for Afghan women is tragically high--with an estimated 1,600 deaths for every 100,000 live births. The bill provides equipment, medical supplies and other assistance to health care facilities to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Your commitment to help empower women and girls is critical not only to their future, but also to the stability of Afghanistan as a nation.

In recent months, attacks against schools that educate girls have increased substantially. As the U.S. works to foster democracy in Afghanistan, we must be vigilant in ensuring that women take their rightful place in Afghan society. This includes funding to help establish primary and secondary schools for girls; expanding vocational training; and providing special educational opportunities for girls whose schooling was ended by the Taliban.

Please co-sponsor The Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2009 to support women and girls in Afghanistan and give them opportunities to build a better life.

I look forward to your response on this important issue.

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