Final Defense Bill Includes Casey, Ayotte Measure to Protect Security Gains of Afghan Women

Press Release

The final Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was approved by Congress on Friday includes a version of bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) aimed at protecting the safety, security, and rights of Afghanistan's women and children.

The measure expresses support for U.S. government efforts to continue working with the Government of Afghanistan and Afghan civil society to promote the rights of women in Afghanistan and their inclusion in the political, economic, and security transition. The language also expresses support for funding that Senators Ayotte and Casey successfully authorized in the fiscal year 2014 NDAA to assist in the development of a plan to increase the number of female security officers specifically trained to address gender-based violence. Additionally, the language supports funding for recruiting and training female searchers and security officers to staff voting stations during elections.

"I'm pleased that the NDAA includes provisions from our bipartisan amendment to protect the gains that Afghan women have made in recent years," Senator Casey said. "The rights of Afghan women and girls should not be negotiable. Sustaining and solidifying these gains is consistent with both American values and national security interests."

"The women and girls of Afghanistan have come a long way from their barbaric treatment under Taliban rule. Today, most women and girls in Afghanistan have more opportunity and freedom than they have ever had-and they have become powerful advocates for freedom, democracy, security, and reform," said Senator Ayotte. "As the security transition progresses, we must help the Government of Afghanistan to defend and expand the historic - but fragile - gains made by women there."

The Casey-Ayotte provision in the NDAA passed by Congress expresses the sense of Congress that the United States "should continue to work with the Government of Afghanistan and Afghan civil society to promote the rights of women in Afghanistan and their inclusion in the political, economic, and security transition process." In order to accomplish this objective, the legislation encourages the administration to support efforts by the Government of Afghanistan to:

* Recruit, integrate, train, and retain women in the Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF);

* Develop training for the ANSF related to the unique security challenges women in the ANSF confront;

* Develop a plan to increase the number of female security officers specifically trained to address gender-based violence, such as the Family Response Units of the Afghanistan National Police;

* Develop accountability mechanisms within the ANSF relating to the treatment of women and girls;

* Provide appropriate equipment and facilities for female recruits;

* Recruit, train, and fund sufficient female security officers to staff voting stations during the 2015 parliamentary elections.

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