The Fate of Civil Society in Afghanistan, Post-withdrawal

This event is sponsored by the German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States.  The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan policy organization committed to the idea that the United States and Europe are stronger together.

Introductory Remarks:

Rachel Tausenfreund

Editorial Director at The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Speakers:

Atia Abawi

Award-winning foreign correspondent and author, most recently of “She Persisted: Sally Ride,” which is part of a series created by Chelsea Clinton

Kathy Gannon

Award-winning News Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Associated Press and author. She has covered the region since 1988

Marina Kielpinski LeGree

Founder and CEO of "Ascend," an NGO that trains Afghan girls to be leaders through community service and mountain climbing

Metra Mehran

 A Fulbright Scholar who co-founded the Feminine Perspectives Movement, which provides a platform for women across Afghanistan to raise their voices and ensure their perspectives are reflected in the peace talks

Almut Wieland-Karimi

Executive Director of the Center for International Peace Operations

Ellinor Zeino

Afghanistan Country Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation 

Moderator:

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

"Common Ground" Host and former NPR Kabul Bureau Chief

The withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan begins in July and U.S. President Joe Biden says all U.S. troops will be gone by the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

But what happens to civil society in Afghanistan after the Western forces leave? Aid groups, NGOs, human rights activists, journalists and more have created a vibrant Afghan democracy over the past two decades that is now in danger of falling apart as the Taliban, which is in a stronger military position now than at any point since 2001, will likely return to power in some capacity.

This panel, which includes speakers on three continents—some who were in Afghanistan during the previous Taliban era—discuss whether and how civil society can continue in Afghanistan after Sept. 11, especially when it comes to women’s programs and initiatives.

If you have any questions, please contact please contact Rachel Tausenfreund at RTausendfreund@gmfus.org or Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson at soraya.nelson@kcrwberlin.org.

This event is produced in partnership with the Common Ground podcast.