The US House Foreign Affairs Committee has approved a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the Taliban’s sweeping restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, advancing the measure to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
The legislation, known as the “Rejecting the Erasure of Afghan Women and Girls Act,” was introduced in February 2026 by Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat of California. It cleared the committee in March with support from both Democrats and Republicans, reflecting growing concern in Washington over the Taliban’s treatment of women since returning to power in 2021.
“I am grateful that my bill, the Rejecting the Erasure of Afghan Women and Girls Act, passed US House Foreign Affairs Committee with bipartisan support,” Kamlager-Dove said on X. “It was an honor to share this moment with Afghan girls who are pursuing the education they were denied by the Taliban here in the US.!
If enacted, the bill would require the State Department to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days documenting Taliban policies affecting women and girls. The report would examine restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement and participation in public life.
It would also assess whether those policies meet legal thresholds under international law, including crimes against humanity, gender persecution, torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment — a step that could lay the groundwork for future accountability efforts.
“This bill holds the Taliban accountable at a time when Afghan women and girls are facing increased suffering,” Representative Brian Mast, the Republican chairman of the committee, said.
Representative Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, described the Taliban as an “evil and violent regime,” pointing to its treatment of women and girls.
The legislation does not impose sanctions or penalties. Instead, it is designed to formalize documentation of abuses and inform future US policy, including potential diplomatic or multilateral action.
Supporters say the measure elevates the issue beyond general human rights concerns by seeking a formal legal assessment of Taliban policies, which could influence international mechanisms, including efforts at the United Nations.
Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on women and girls, including banning education beyond the sixth grade, limiting employment and enforcing strict rules on dress and movement. Human rights organizations have widely condemned the measures as systemic discrimination.
The bill’s passage through committee comes amid sustained international pressure on the Taliban, though prospects for swift policy changes remain uncertain.
The measure now awaits consideration by the full House.
