September X, 2014

The Honorable Robert P. Casey, Jr.                                          The Honorable Kelly Ayotte

United States Senate                                                                  United States Senate

393 Russell Senate Office Building                                            144 Russell Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510                                                               Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senators Casey and Ayotte:

On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we write to thank you for your leadership on amendment

3715 to the FY 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in support of Afghan women and girls’

security. This amendment is a critical next step in advancing the leadership and security of Afghan women

and girls, and builds upon bipartisan congressional support for similar efforts in the FY 2013 and FY 2014

NDAA.

This amendment comes at a pivotal time. With the ongoing security transition in Afghanistan, the US

must take action to ensure that there is no backsliding of gains made by Afghan women and girls, and

it is imperative the US continues to recognize the importance of meaningfully including women in the

political, economic, and security transition efforts. This authorizing language would require the Department

of Defense to assess its progress on promoting the rights and security of Afghan women and girls, which

will lay a foundation for not only women’s full participation in all aspects of Afghan life but for the future

stability of the country in the long-term.

Critically, the amendment builds on past congressional support for the recruitment and retention of women

in the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Despite past efforts, women continue to be woefully

underrepresented in the Afghan forces, comprising only one percent of the Afghan National Police

and less than .5 percent of the Afghan National Army. This absence of women in the ANSF has severe

implications for many of the US government’s stated priorities in Afghanistan, including countering

terrorism and providing security to the Afghan people. The amendment directs US forces to support the

Afghan government in increasing the number of female security officers specifically trained to address cases

of gender-based violence and raise awareness within the ANSF of the security challenges women face when

serving in these forces. In addition, the amendment will help ensure that the female searcher capabilities

established for the 2014 presidential elections are maintained and expanded to more adequately staff polling

stations in the 2015 parliamentary elections.

The security of women and girls is essential to the future stability and prosperity of Afghanistan. There can

be no just or sustainable peace without the meaningful inclusion of women in peace and security processes

and the guaranteed protection of human rights. We appreciate your commitment to making certain that the

US continues to promote these goals.

We support efforts to include amendment 3715 in the FY 2015 NDAA and look forward to continued

collaboration with you on this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Amnesty International USA

Catholics for Choice

Futures Without Violence

Genocide Watch

Global Rights

Human Rights Watch

Inclusive Security Action

Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy

International Crisis Group

International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Jewish Women International

Management Sciences for Health

National Council of Jewish Women

National Council of Women’s Organizations

National Organization for Women

Oxfam America

Peace Alliance

Peace X Peace

Student Peace Alliance

Women Graduates-USA

Women in International Security

Women Legislators Lobby (WiLL)

Women, Peace and Security Resources LLC

Women Thrive Worldwide

Women’s Action for New Directions (WAND)

Women’s Research and Education Institute

US National Committee for UN Women

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