The Evolving Fight for the Freedoms of Women and Children in the Middle East

SECURING DIGNITY AND OPPORTUNITY

Deed of Gift vs. Presidential Records Act 44 U.S.C. 2204(a)(1): National security classified

information.

Freedom of Information Act 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(6): Personnel and medical files and

similar files the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

Redactions and closed records can be appealed

Process to Open Closed Records

BACKGROUND: OPENING RECORDS

FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF AFGHAN

WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Full Text: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011007-8.html

INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN STATEMENT, OCTOBER 7, 2001

INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN STATEMENT, OCTOBER 7, 2001

INVASION OF AFGHANISTAN STATEMENT, OCTOBER 7, 2001

Directed to American children Asked every child in America “to earn or give a dollar that

will be used to provide food and medical help for the children of Afghanistan”

Donations sent to the White House

“Ultimately, one of the best weapons, one of the truest weapons that we have against terrorism is to show the world the true strength of character and kindness of the American people.  Americans are united in this fight against terrorism.  We're also united in our concern for the innocent people of Afghanistan. Winter is coming, and by acting today we can help the children survive.” – President George W. Bush

http: / /georgewbush-whi tehouse.archives.gov/news/re leases/2001/10/20011011-8.html#

CREATION OF “AMERICA’S FUND FOR AFGHAN CHILDREN,” OCTOBER

11, 2001

Letters From American Chi ldren

OLIVIA

Letters From American Chi ldren

JESSICA WILLIAMS

Letters From American Chi ldren

KARSON EKLOFF

The fund was closed on April 1, 2005

By December 8, 2001, on the eve of the fl ight of the fi rst supplies, more than $1.5 million dollars had been donated by American children All gifts were marked “A Gift to Afghan Children From

American Children”

By January 9, 2003, more than $11.4 million had been raised

Images can be found at: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/kids/giftsofchildren/

STATISTICS: AMERICA’S FUND FOR AFGHAN CHILDREN

PRESIDENT’S WEEKLY RADIO ADDRESS, NOVEMBER 17, 2001

MRS. BUSH’S RADIO ADDRESS

MRS. BUSH’S RADIO ADDRESS

MRS. BUSH’S RADIO ADDRESS

Committed the United States to providing education and medical assistance to Afghan women, children, and refugees

Included the following initiatives: Helping Afghan refugees return home Food assistance and rehabilitation of agricultural systems Drilling of wells, rehabilitation of water sources, sanitation

systems Building critical infrastructure (roads, health clinics, schools, etc.) Facilitation of freedom of information (distribution of radios,

training and equipping news outlets, etc.) Assisted other nations in funding the Interim Afghan Government Distribution of educational materials (textbooks, teachers kids,

supplies, etc.) Healthcare (vaccines, access to clinics, etc.)

PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS AFGHAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN RELIEF ACT,

DECEMBER 12, 2001

Delivered March 8, 2002 (International Women’s Day)

Ful l Remarks: http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/fi rst lady/news-speeches/speeches/fl 20020308.html

MRS. BUSH’S REMARKS TO THE U.N. COMMISSION ON THE STATUS

OF WOMEN

Established by Presidents Bush and Karzai

Focuses on concrete actions in four key areas: Economic empowerment Education and literacy Political leadership and legal awareness Access to health care

By 2008, implemented more than 30 initiatives totaling approximately $124 million

www.usawc.state.gov

CREATION OF THE U.S.-AFGHAN WOMEN’S COUNCIL, 2002

MRS. BUSH VISITS AFGHANISTAN, MARCH 30, 2005

MRS. BUSH VISITS AFGHANISTAN, MARCH 30, 2005

HEAD OF STATE GIFT: TRADITIONAL AFGHAN DRESS

AND SCARF

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN SUPPORT OF AFGHANISTAN, JUNE 12,

2008

The infant-mortality rate was reduced by almost 25%

85% of Afghans had access to basic healthcare; up from 8% in 2001

Fewer than a million Afghan children were in school in 2001, all were boys; by 2008 more than six million children were in school, almost a third are girls

The per capita GDP increased by roughly 70% from 2001-2008

In 2008, Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province elected the fi rst female governor, Habiba Sarabi

STATISTICS: AFGHANISTAN, 2008

EXPANDING VOTING RIGHTS IN IRAQ

“Iraq is Sovereign.” June 28, 2004

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice to the President, 06/28/2004

President Bush’s reply in Sharpie.

“Iraq is sovereign.”

State of the Union Address, February 2, 2005

CONGRESS SALUTES IRAQI VOTERS

RAISING AWARENESS OF BREAST CANCER

MRS. BUSH PARTICIPATES IN PINK MAJLIS, OCTOBER 22, 2007

MRS. BUSH TOURS ADBULLATIF CANCER SCREENING CENTER, SAUDI ARABIA, OCTOBER

23, 2007

MRS. BUSH, STATEMENT AT ADBULLATIF CANCER CENTER,

OCTOBER 23, 2007

Mrs. Bush attends “Breaking the Silence” Coffee, October 24, 2007

MRS. BUSH VISITS A CANCER PATIENT IN RIYADH, MAY 16, 2008

ONLINE MODULES

http://solstice.ischool.utexas.edu/projects/index.php/Afghanistan

Afghan Women and Children

http://solstice.ischool.utexas.edu/projects/index.php/BreastCancerAwareness

Breast Cancer Awareness

The George W. Bush Institute

CONTINUING INITIATIVES

The Women’s Initiative

Pink Ribbon/Red Ribbon

Human Freedom Freedom Collection, www.freedomcollection.org Samar El Husseiny, graduate of the 2012 Bush Institute

Women’s Initiative Fellowship, http://www.freedomcollection.org/regions/greater_middle_east/egypt/samar_el_hussieny/

RELEVANT INSTITUTE PROGRAMS

http://georgewbushlibrary.smu.eduhttp://georgewbush-whitehouse.archive

s.gov/http://www.presidentialtimeline.org/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

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