Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Requests that President Barack Obama Implement a Plan to Protect the Rights of Afghan Women and Girls

Washington, DC – (Wednesday, July 17, 2013) –  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson sent a letter to President Obama requesting that he review a proposed strategy to support women’s rights in Afghanistan. The letter asks the President to work with Congress to further develop and implement this plan.

“As the United States prepares to draw down troops in Afghanistan, we must send a clear message to the Afghan government that we are serious about promoting women’s rights,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “In recent years, the U.S. has made significant progress in protecting women’s rights in Afghanistan. Implementing a strategic plan to support the rights of women and girls in the future will ensure that this progress is not undone.”

In the letter, Congresswoman Johnson highlights a strategic plan prepared by Human Rights Watch. The plan will help ensure that international pressure on Afghanistan to promote women’s rights will continue after the U.S. military’s drawdown of forces.

The letter has 11 cosponsors. View a copy of the letter and the cosponsors here.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a Ranking member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.