Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Laura Bush on Afghan Women's Leadership for Peace

A Conversation with the Former First Lady

Date: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 / Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Read the Event Coverage
Share This
Print the Page

Mrs. Laura Bush, former First Lady of the United States, has long been an advocate for expanding the rights and opportunities of women in Afghanistan. On March 15, USIP hosted a discussion about the importance of the United States’ continued support of Afghan women and girls. In an event celebrating International Women’s Month, Mrs. Bush was joined by Mina Sherzoy, an Afghan woman featured in the George W. Bush Institute’s new book, “We Are Afghan Women: Voices of Hope.” Stephen Hadley, USIP’s Board Chairman and a former National Security Advisor, moderated the conversation.

Bush-99-X3.jpg
Ms. Mina Sherzoy, Mrs. Laura Bush, Mr. Stephen J. Hadley

Over the last 13 years, women in Afghanistan have experienced hard-won gains. In 2001, for example, 5,000 girls were in school. Today, more than 2.5 million girls are being educated. Women are emerging from their homes to start businesses, run for office and participate in civil society. The Bush Institute’s book, with an introduction by Mrs. Bush, was released on March 8 and tells the unique stories of 28 women’s contributions to Afghanistan as they seek to promote peace and rebuild their country.

The event at USIP was co-sponsored by the Bush Institute and the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council. Continue the conversation on Twitter with #VoicesofHope.

Speakers

Mrs. Laura Bush
Former First Lady of the United States

Mr. Stephen J. Hadley
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Institute of Peace

Ms. Mina Sherzoy
Council Member of the U.S.–Afghan Women’s Council

Ms. Nancy Lindborg, Welcoming Remarks
President of the U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Publications

What’s Next for the U.N.’s Doha Process on Afghanistan?

What’s Next for the U.N.’s Doha Process on Afghanistan?

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

By: Andrew Watkins

At the end of June, envoys and representatives from more than 25 countries and international organizations gathered in Doha, Qatar, along with representatives from the Taliban under an U.N.-facilitated framework. This meeting was the third of its kind, widely referred to as “Doha 3,” and part of a process to establish a more coordinated and coherent global approach to Afghanistan’s challenges and the Taliban’s rule.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

How to Support Female Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

How to Support Female Entrepreneurs in Afghanistan

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

By: Belquis Ahmadi;  Afsana Rahimi

Potential areas of cooperation between the Taliban and the international community, such as private sector development and alternative livelihoods to now-banned opium poppy cultivation, will be on the agenda at a meeting of international envoys for Afghanistan hosted by the United Nations in Doha from June 30 to July 1. Discussions on women’s rights are not included, as the Taliban consider it an internal matter. This is ironic, given that the private sector is one area where the Taliban allow limited women’s participation.

Type: Analysis

Economics;  Gender

As Taliban Poppy Ban Continues, Afghan Poverty Deepens

As Taliban Poppy Ban Continues, Afghan Poverty Deepens

Thursday, June 20, 2024

By: William Byrd, Ph.D.

Afghanistan, historically the leading source of the world’s illegal opium, is on-track for an unprecedented second year of dramatically reduced poppy cultivation, reflecting the Taliban regime’s continuing prohibition against growing the raw material for opiates. The crackdown has won plaudits in international circles, but its full implications call for clear-eyed analysis and well considered responses by the U.S. and others. The ban has deepened the poverty of millions of rural Afghans who depended on the crop for their livelihoods, yet done nothing to diminish opiate exports, as wealthier landowners sell off inventories. The unfortunate reality is that any aid mobilized to offset harm from the ban will be grossly insufficient and ultimately wasted unless it fosters broad-based rural and agricultural development that benefits the most affected poorer households. 

Type: Analysis

Economics

View All Publications