Katie Couric's Notebook: Women In Afghanistan
She was murdered by the Taliban for fighting for women's rights in her country.
More than 80 percent of women in Afghanistan are illiterate, but the Taliban make an education nearly impossible. Last year, a group of girls was doused with acid in front of their school - some were burned severely.
As the Taliban regroups and gains strength, Afghan women risk an erosion of any gains made since the war began in 2001, and lawmakers are doing little to protect them.
A recent law passed by Parliament would allow marital rape. President Hamid Karzai has said it will be amended, but one wonders how it was passed in the first place.
As the United States formulates a new approach during these dark days in Afghanistan, it must not forget to lift a lamp, as Emma Lazarus wrote, to illuminate a path to basic human rights.
That's a page from my notebook.