and social commission for the western hemisphere and ambassador malan verbier. the wilson center is unique in foreign policy. we are professionally chartered, scholarship driven, and fiercely nonpartisan and independent. that special status brings with it certain obligations. to not give the gate what others are doing, but instead to prioritize the most important issues and opportunities and to try to do so where we can add value and make a difference. this year's topic, advocacy for afghan women's rights on the global stage, is critical to our work here in the center and to the policy community at large and is very much something that have. women represent a powerful locus of change. whether the helmand government, civil society, or the private sector, women play a critical role in preventing conflict,, building peace and sustaining prosperity -- building peace, and sustaining prosperity. it is growing worse by the day. they further restrict the ability to work, travel, and access basic health care services. millions of afghans are facing food and water insecur