Agency News: Leadership on Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights: Rina Amiri and Stephenie Foster

U.S. Department of State Press Statement | ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE

Published on: December 29, 2021

Two highly qualified and respected leaders will advance the State Department’s vital work to support Afghan women, girls, and human rights: Special Envoy Rina Amiri and Senior Advisor Stephenie Foster.  They bring decades of public policy, diplomatic, and advocacy experience to the Department.

I welcome Rina Amiri back to the Department as the Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights, with her breadth and depth of expertise and strong track record advising governments, the United Nations, peacebuilding organizations, and think tanks.  As Special Envoy, she will work on issues of critical importance to me, this Administration, and U.S. national security: the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, girls, and other at-risk populations in all of their diversity.  We desire a peaceful, stable, and secure Afghanistan, where all Afghans can live and thrive in political, economic, and social inclusivity.  Special Envoy Amiri will work closely with me toward that goal.

Special Envoy Amiri’s important work will be complemented by the contributions of Stephenie Foster, the new Senior Advisor for Women and Girls Issues within the Department’s Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) team.  Stephenie’s diverse public and private sector experiences, including at the Department, and her passion for advancing women and girls’ safety and equality will help advance CARE’s around-the-clock relocation and resettlement efforts on behalf of our Afghan allies and their families.

I welcome Rina and Stephenie back to the Department and look forward to their contributions to this work of vital importance.

Source: U.S. Department of State