11.16.01

Afghan Women and Children Relief Act of 2001 Passes Senate

Measure to ease suffering of Afghan women and Children cosponsoredby all women Senators

WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today praised passage of the Afghan Women and Children Relief Act of 2001. The Act was passed the Senate by unanimous consent by the Senate yesterday.

The measure, cosponsored by Cantwell, directs the President to ensure U.S. assistance protects human rights of women and children as well as of men. The bill authorizes the President to provide educational health care and assistance to women and children living in Afghanistan and temporarily residing as refugees in neighboring countries; allows the funds to be used by nongovernmental organizations; and requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress describing the condition and status of women and children in Afghanistan.

"The Afghan Women and Children Relief Act of 2001 is an important step toward easing an appalling human rights crisis in Afghanistan," Cantwell said. "I am proud to say that the 13 women of the Senate have joined together to take action to apply American aid toward much-needed health care and education for the women and children of Afghanistan."

Under Taliban rule, Afghan women have suffered greatly. They have been forced out of the workplace, denied education, and, along with their children, they are regularly denied access to health care. Afghanistan has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world (165 in 1,000) and 42% of all deaths are caused by contaminated food or water.

Similar legislation is scheduled to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Deborah Price (R-OH).