While Afghan women are difficult for coalition forces to access in their counterinsurgency efforts, they play a central role in their families and are the primary care-givers for, and have significant influence over, their children. U. S. Army counterinsurgency doctrine advises, \"Win the women, and you own the family unit. Own the family, and you take a big step forward in mobilizing the population.\" Afghan women are an overlooked potential asset in U. S. counterinsurgency efforts, and their personal security, access to basic services, health, educational, and economic opportunities are backsliding in the wake of power consolidation among current and former Taliban and warlords. Violence against women in Afghanistan continues to be endemic. As long as violence and insecurity rule the lives of Afghan women, violence and insecurity will rule in Afghanistan. This instability creates space for insurgents and their terrorist allies to thrive, which has national security repercussions for the United States. | Equal Opportunity Counterinsurgency by Sasha Mehra, Paperback | Indigo Chapters