What does the West really know?

Recently, I participated in a weekend class through American University’s Women in Politics Institute, Women in Foreign Relations. The class explored the influence and the role of the United States Congress in foreign relations, through pieces of legislation that have been recently introduced. For example, S. 2982, the International Violence Against Women Act, and H.R. 2214, the Afghan Women Empowerment Act, would develop a role for the United States in the international arena, by providing aid, resources, and educational programs, among other things. However, the legislation introduced to the U.S. Congress is an interpretation by the United States as to how certain situations should be handled abroad. Legislation introduced in the United States is not necessarily a reflection on how the people in these countries would resolve or cope with their struggles. Although hearings are held to get the opinions of people on the ground and experts on the issues, it is difficult to account for cultural and traditional differences.

I think there is uncertainty as to what should be the roles of Western countries and organizations, especially the United States and the United Nations. The United Nations World Health Organization is the leading force in global health matters, by creating programs, setting an agenda, offering resources and technologies, and setting standards. Recently, the World Health Organization in Afghanistan hosted an International Women’s Day and a campaign to end violence against women. The World Health Organization on the ground in Afghanistan seeks to incorporate the Afghan people in their movements, but how is participation received? How do the Afghan people see the presence of the World Health Organization?

After having studied gendered struggles in the Middle East this semester, I think it would be interesting to dive a little deeper into how the United States and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization are represented in Middle Easter countries. It would also be valuable to see how the interaction between Westerners and those in the Middle East play out on a daily basis and to see if the efforts made on the ground are effective.

The World Health Organization in Afghanistan

WHO Afghan Reproductive Health

Afghan Ministry of Public Health