Over the last 20 years, women have taken on roles unimaginable under Taliban rule — as politicians, soldiers, police officers, journalists, actors. As the group has surged militarily, women’s rights have often fallen by the wayside before the Afghan government’s larger priorities. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)AdvertisementThey also point out that Afghan women were fighting for their rights well before Americans touched Afghan soil. “The West in general thinks that Afghan women started existing in 2001. Asked if he had “any message” for Afghan women concerned about their achievements, Biden recounted an encounter years before with an Afghan schoolgirl who pleaded for U.S. troops to stay so she could become a doctor.

Source: Los Angeles Times July 18, 2021 12:00 UTC