Democrats urge women to take part in new Afghan government

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Citing the need to ensure that women will be able to participate freely in a post-Taliban Afghanistan, Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald -- delivering the Democrats' weekly radio address -- called on Americans to stand up for women's rights in that war-torn country.

"After years of being subjugated and brutally repressed, it is time for [women] to return to the level of governance and participation that they once enjoyed and were guaranteed by the Afghan constitution," the California Democrat said.

Millender-McDonald said now is the time to push for a strong role for women in Afghanistan as that nation seeks to establish a new government following the ouster of the Taliban from power in Kabul, the Afghan capital.

She said the women of the House of Representatives are working with other international groups to urge Afghan women who have fled the country to "return as a collective voice for the basic rights for women and their children."

That, the congresswoman said, is at the forefront of establishing a democratic society.

"We can be certain that any future government of Afghanistan will not be sustainable unless all elements of Afghan society are included, especially its women," she said.