US Congressional Delegation Visits Afghanistan

The Embassy of the United States in Kabul said that a bi-partisan women’s Congressional delegation (CODEL) led by US Representative Martha Roby, visited Afghanistan on May 9 and 10. A press release from the embassy stated that CODEL conducted oversight of American operations in Afghanistan with a focus on the contribution, efforts, and concerns of US women in the US Armed Forces with an additional focus on gender issues and challenges facing Afghan women. The statement added that Special Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Hugo Llorens briefed CODEL on current priorities for the US Mission in Afghanistan. “The visit of this important US Congressional delegation is a sign of the significance the United States places on achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment in Afghanistan,” said Ambassador Llorens. The statement further stated that the delegation met with Afghanistan’s First Lady, Rula Ghani, at her office.