Sean Patrick Maloney: “I am pleased to support the en bloc amendment and to note that the amendment which the gentleman from California (Mr.…”

“I am pleased to support the en bloc amendment and to note that the amendment which the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) and I put forward to help women and girls in Afghanistan was included. The amendment creates the Afghan Women's Fund of not less than $22 million per year for the years 2003, 2004, and 2005. The Afghan Women's Fund will support the efforts of the Afghan Ministry of Women's Affairs, other government ministries, and independent commissions to increase women and girls' access to health care, education, and income-earning opportunities, as well as to programs to prevent trafficking in girls and women. This amendment also ensures that not less than 15 percent of the Afghan Women's Fund will reach organizations run by Afghans, especially Afghan women. Their success is also very closely tied to the success of efforts in Afghanistan for democracy because democracies cannot stabilize without a strong civil society.”