Equal Opportunity Counterinsurgency: The Importance of Afghan women in U.S. Counterinsurgency Operations
Abstract
While Afghan women are difficult for coalition forces to access in their counterinsurgency efforts, they play a central role in their families and are the primary care-givers for, and have significant influence over, their children. U.S. Army counterinsurgency doctrine advises, "Win the women, and you own the family unit. Own the family, and you take a big step forward in mobilizing the population." Afghan women are an overlooked potential asset in U.S. counterinsurgency efforts, and their personal security, access to basic services, health, educational, and economic opportunities are backsliding in the wake of power consolidation among current and former Taliban and warlords. Violence against women in Afghanistan continues to be endemic. As long as violence and insecurity rule the lives of Afghan women, violence and insecurity will rule in Afghanistan. This instability creates space for insurgents and their terrorist allies to thrive, which has national security repercussions for the United States.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA524128
Entities
People
- Sasha Mehra
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College