Washington, DC, July 5, 2006

At the eighth meeting of the U.S. Afghan Women's Council (USAWC) in Washington D.C. on July 5, First Lady Laura Bush, an honorary USAWC member, stressed the importance of education for women. She noted her strong interest in the USAWC-sponsored Women's Teaching Training Institute in Kabul, which she been involved in and visited. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky and Afghan Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, USAWC co-chairs, discussed USAWC-sponsored projects in literacy and education, health care, and economic and political participation. The Council also focused on the plight of Afghan children, whose health and welfare needs are being addressed in a special Council project, Ayenda, established March 2006.