The women of Afghanistan have never been the focus of US action. Just not very strategic.

Before 9/11 - but after the US government armed the mullahs - there were people trying to raise awareness of the plight of these women. Jay Leno's wife has been at it a long time and my aunt was involved through her church. Mavis Leno has been very involved in an organization to help Afghanistan women since 1997.

http://www.feminist.org/afghan/aboutcampaign.asp

One in 6 Afghan women die in childbirth. This organization is working to train midwives to reduce those numbers as well as improve the lives of these women in other ways.