Political Quotes

“I rise in the strongest support for the Afghan Women and Children Relief Act. This legislation authorizes our President to use funding from the 2001 Emergency Supplemental under such terms and conditions as he may decide to provide health and educational assistance to the women and children of Afghanistan. As we all know, the plight of women and children under the ruling Taliban regime and their terrorist allies has been dire. As recognized by this legislation, Taliban restrictions on women's participation in society made it nearly impossible for women to exercise their basic human rights. The restrictions on Afghan women's freedom of expression, association and movement denied women full participation in society and, consequently, kept them from effectively securing basic access to work, education and even health care. Under Taliban rule, women were beaten and in some cases shot for simply leaving their homes unaccompanied, even if only to seek medical attention for a sick child. The heavy suffering of Afghan women has been unthinkable and immeasurable.”