Judge Mohammad Suliman Rasuli sentenced Mullah Mohammad Amin – a religious leader from Afghanistan – to 20 years in prison Saturday for the rape of a 10-year-old girl in Kunduz province.
Afghanistan’s New First Lady Advances Women’s Issues
Just a few days after moving to the presidential palace, Afghanistan’s new First Lady Rula Ghani said that she hopes to encourage greater respect for women.
Afghanistan and US Finalize Bilateral Security Agreement
In a nationally televised ceremony at the Presidential Palace just one day after President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai took office, Afghanistan signed a major security agreement with the United States.
New President and National Unity Government Announced in Afghanistan
Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai is the next president of Afghanistan. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, his opponent, will serve as Afghanistan’s new chief executive.
Wheels in Motion: Meet Afghanistan’s First All-Woman Bicycling Team
Women in Afghanistan are rediscovering a vehicle of freedom that has galvanized social change since the turn of the 20th century: the bicycle.
Court Sentences Seven Men for Gang Rape in Afghanistan
The vicious public attack received national attention and sparked outrage among Afghan women leaders.
$92 Million Project Will Improve Higher Education in Afghanistan
The US Agency for International Development announced a $92 million project to improve the higher education system in Afghanistan last week.
Afghanistan Celebrates 95th Anniversary of Independence
President Hamid Karzai and candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai attended a special ceremony to commemorate the day. US Secretary of State John Kerry issued a statement in honor of the celebration.
Supporting the Advancement of Women in Afghanistan
Afghan women have come a long way over the last decade. We have made significant achievements, many of which would have not been possible without the generous support of the international community, especially the United States.
Election Process Agreement Creates Hope for Some in Afghanistan
Just when the success of the election process seemed to be in doubt, US Secretary of State John Kerry went to Afghanistan to once again play a mediator’s role, meeting with the two presidential candidates and with outgoing president Hamid Karzai to help broker a solution to the disputed election process.
High Turnout in Afghanistan’s Presidential Runoff Election
Over seven million Afghans, or 58 percent of the population, successfully voted in the runoff presidential election on Saturday, despite several attacks from the Taliban at polling centers.
Women of Afghanistan Push Equality on the Eve of Runoff Presidential Election
Afghan women’s groups Thursday held a press conference announcing that both of the presidential front-runners had signed a six-point petition for women’s rights.
US Support of Afghanistan Will Continue Even As Troops Drawdown
The remaining troops will help train and advise Afghan security forces, as well as assist in counter-terrorism operations.
We Must Keep the Momentum Strong for Women and Girls’ Education in Afghanistan
Afghan girls are once again attending school, at the primary secondary, and university levels, and they are proving that if given opportunities, they can thrive.
Why the 2014 Afghanistan Election is Bringing Hope Back to Afghan Women
We made it. We were able to show to the world that our security forces are robust enough to protect our infant democracy and our people remain worthy of international support.
Afghanistan May Hold Runoff Presidential Election
Preliminary results for Afghanistan’s recent presidential election were released on Saturday, showing that former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah and former Finance Minister and World Bank economist Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai are the top contenders.
Afghanistan Heads to the Polls Tomorrow
Afghanistan will hold presidential and provincial council elections tomorrow. The elections represent a pivotal moment in the history of Afghanistan, which will conduct its first democratic transition of presidential power once the vote is complete. There has been growing excitement in Afghanistan leading up to the elections. The Afghan Independent Election Commission (IEC) reported a […]
13,000 Women Will Work to Secure Polling Centers on Afghanistan’s Election Day
The Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoIA) announced this week that it has recruited 13,000 women to work on security procedures at polling centers for the upcoming April 5 presidential election day. There was some concern last summer that there would not be enough women security officers to work at the polling stations set aside […]
Female Afghan Parliamentarian Speaks Out About Women’s Progress in Afghanistan
Fawzia Koofi, a female member of the Afghan parliament, published an open letter this week to American women, urging them to continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with women in Afghanistan. Koofi’s letter, entitled “A Letter to My American Sisters,” dispels the media myth that women’s lives have not improved since the fall of the Taliban regime in […]
Presidential Candidates Begin Campaigns for Afghanistan’s April Election
Candidates for Afghanistan’s upcoming April election kicked off their presidential campaigns on Sunday. According to TOLO News, many of the 11 candidates have focused on similar, broad issues so far, including security, human rights, women’s participation in government, corruption, and economic development. Activists and members of Afghanistan’s parliament pointed out the lack of specific goals […]