Women's Advancement

Afghanistan

Promoting advocacy, collaboration, and policy solutions in support of Afghan women and children.

“In their greatest time of need, let us reaffirm our promise that we’ll never forget the people of Afghanistan. We will remain hopeful, and we will not look away as Afghanistan seeks peace, stability, and freedom.” — Mrs. Laura Bush

Afghan women and children have seen a swift and unrelenting rollback of their rights and status by the Taliban since August 2021. They still face incredibly limited options for pathways to safety. It is women and children who shoulder a disproportionate burden of the growing humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan.

Since the Bush Institute’s inception, we have stood in solidarity with Afghan women and children. That work continues, even with the Taliban’s return. We utilize our platform to give a voice to those impacted by the Taliban’s brutal oppression. We also advance policies that support:

  • The status of Afghan women and children
  • The need for expanded pathways to safety and resettlement
  • A sustained response to the growing economic, health, and food security challenges in Afghanistan
  • Advocacy and collaboration with government, nonprofit, corporate, and philanthropic leaders

Our Team

Read Natalie Gonnella-Platts's biography.
Natalie Gonnella-Platts

Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute

Read Kaitlyn McClew's biography.
Kaitlyn McClew

Program Manager, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute

Paula Dobriansky, Chair

Former Under Secretary of State, Democracy and Global Affairs; Senior Fellow, The Future of Diplomacy Project, Kennedy School, Harvard University

Leanne Caret

President and CEO, Boeing Defense, Space and Security, Boeing

Jean Case

Chairman, National Geographic Society; CEO, Case Impact Network and Case Foundation

Connie Duckworth

Founder, Chairman, and CEO, ARZU

Joanna Grossman

Ellen K. Solender Endowed Chair in Women and the Law; Professor of Law, SMU Dedman School of Law

Kathy Hubbard

Co-Founder, Bridges of Understanding Foundation

Karen Hughes

Former Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs

Anita McBride

Executive-in-Residence, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, School of Public Affairs, American University

Meghan O’Sullivan

Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs; Director of the Geopolitics of Energy Project, Kennedy School, Harvard University

Charity Wallace

Founder, Wallace Global Impact

Publications

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