WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, members of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues joined the First Lady of Afghanistan, Rula Ghani; Former First Lady Laura Bush; U.S. Afghan Council members and House Foreign Affairs Committee members for an off the record discussion surrounding the challenges and opportunities facing Afghanistan’s women and girls.

Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Susan Brooks (R-IN), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues, provided the following statements:

 “It was an honor to meet with First Lady Ghani and Former First Lady Bush, both tireless advocates for Afghan women,” said Frankel. “We must continue our joint efforts to educate girls and increase women’s participation in Afghan society. When we empower women, we increase the opportunity for peace.”

“We must continue to advocate for women and girls in Afghanistan so women around the world have the same access to opportunities as men,” said Brooks. “It is because of efforts led by First Lady Ghani and Former First Lady Bush that women in Afghanistan are regaining independence and becoming increasingly integrated in their country’s workforce. I applaud these leaders’ advocacy. The ongoing relationship between Afghanistan and the United States enables more women in Afghanistan to enroll in school, graduate college and become leaders in business and government.”

Frankel visited Afghanistan in 2013 with a bipartisan delegation to meet with American military and Afghan officials. A member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Frankel is a staunch advocate for the empowerment of women around the world. Her son, Ben, served tours as a U.S. Marine captain in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Earlier this year, Brooks joined a small group of bipartisan female representatives to visit American female service members in Afghanistan and Iraq who were away from their families on Mother’s Day. During her visit, Brooks met First Lady Ghani and learned about the incredible progress Afghanistan is making to support the women in their country.

First Lady Ghani and Former First Lady Bush wrote an op-ed in USA Today on the importance of supporting women and girls in Afghanistan. To read their op-ed, click here.

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