Afghan men make up most of the interpreters and cultural officers who have worked for the United States over the 20-year war and, in turn, have been granted special access to immigrate. Tens of thousands of visa applicants remain stranded across the country. The Biden administration in recent weeks has expanded immigration and refugee resettlement programs to allow more Afghans — including women — into the United States. They include, in many cases, “forceful advocates for their fellow Afghan women and girls,” he said. On Wednesday, the United States joined 20 countries and the European Union in demanding that the rights of Afghan women be protected, and pledging to send humanitarian aid and other support “to ensure that their voices can be heard.”

Source: International New York Times August 18, 2021 16:40 UTC