In the struggle for peace and economic stability in Afghanistan, don't expect women to sit idly by while men shape the future.

"You can't have lasting stability if half the country is left out" says Gayle Lemmon, Author of The Dressmaker of Khair Khana and the deputy director of the Council on Foreign Relations' Women and Foreign Policy program.

Ms. Lemmon joined Christiane Amanpour on a crisp afternoon in New York City's Central Park to discuss the role of women in Afghanistan in a quickly changing Arab world.

"This is not about special treatment, it is about basic right to contribute to your family - to go to school and go to work and Afghan women have fought for those rights for a long time."

As the Arab world changes, the women of Afghanistan can no longer be looked at as victims and observers. Their ability to make money and help support their family will help define the future of Afghanistan.