World Reflects on Women's Progress

World Reflects on Women's Progress, Remaining Obstacles

(Equal opportunity, health and gender-based violence remain issues) (762)

By Jane Morse
Staff Writer

Washington - In March, the world observes International Women's Day, and, in the United States, Women's History Month. And while women have made great strides in many areas where they once were marginalized, there is still much work to be done in areas including education, health and gender-based violence.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has vowed to make women's issues a centerpiece ( http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2009/September/20090925152715ajesrom0.1487042.html ) of her term as secretary. During her confirmation hearing, she spoke of her concern with the plight of women and girls, who make up the majority of the uneducated and unhealthy in the world.

"If half of the world's population remains vulnerable to economic, political, legal and social marginalization, our hope of advancing democracy and prosperity will remain in serious jeopardy," she said ( http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/January/20090113174107eaifas0.6630213.html ). "We still have a long way to go, and the United States must remain an unambiguous and unequivocal voice in support of women's rights in every country, every region, on every continent."

The Obama White House has aggressively promoted women's issues both in the United States and abroad. Early in his presidency, President Obama created a new position at the White House - now held by Lynn Rosenthal - to advise the president and vice president on domestic violence and sexual assault issues in the United States. The president also created a new position at the U.S. Department of State: ambassador-at-large for global women's issues. Melanne Verveer, who has a long career working for the advancement of women, was appointed to that position to mobilize concrete support worldwide for women's rights and to combat violence against women and girls ( http://www.america.gov/st/develop-english/2009/November/20091118151434AKllennoccm0.516308.html ) in all its forms.

Clinton's focus on women's issues was underlined during her visit to Africa ( http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2009/August/20090803101924ajesrom0.9259106.html ) in 2009, where violence against women in conflict areas is a problem. There, she gave support to victims of gender-based violence and announced aid programs ( http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2009/August/20090820123635ajesrom0.6619226.html ) to help them. Later, in hailing a U.N. Security Council resolution ( http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2009/September/20090930131949ajesrom0.5002405.html ), Clinton emphasized that violence against women should not be viewed as an unfortunate characteristic of culture, but as a criminal offense.

In addition to ensuring that women around the world are safe from gender-based violence, the State Department under Clinton is focusing on promoting women's economic opportunities - from which other rights and freedoms often follow. In remarks ( http://www.america.gov/st/democracyhr-english/2009/October/20091001181100ajesrom0.5990412.html ) before Congress in October 2009, Verveer said women in many parts of the world are "the drivers of economic growth" and tend to reinvest whatever income they can command into their families and communities.

"When women are accorded their rights and afforded equal opportunities in education ( http://www.america.gov/girls_education.html ), health care and gainful employment, they drive social and economic progress," Clinton made clear in a commentary ( http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/August/20090809084017bpuh0.6139032.html ) last summer.

Clinton will attend several events marking International Women's Day ( http://www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp ).

On March 10 in Washington, Clinton will host the annual International Women of Courage Awards ( http://www.america.gov/st/hr-english/2009/March/20090312114534ajesrom0.2976038.html ) at the Department of State. Those awards, established in March 2007 by then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, recognize women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating human rights. This is the only award within the Department of State that pays tribute to outstanding women leaders worldwide. It recognizes the courage and leadership they have shown as they struggle for social justice and equal rights.

Also on March 10, Clinton will present the Global Trailblazer Award to Melinda Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at the ninth annual Vital Voices Global Leadership Awards celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Vital Voices is an international, nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that promotes the participation of women in leadership roles in the political processes of their countries. Clinton helped found the Vital Voices Global Partnership ( http://vitalvoices.org/ ) in 1997 following the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing. In an impassioned speech at that U.N. conference, Clinton, who was first lady at the time, made her famous statement: "Human rights are women's rights; and women's rights are human rights."

Since 1987, the United States has celebrated each March as National Women's History Month. ( http://www.nwhp.org/whm/history.php ) But the Obama administration, in efforts spearheaded by Clinton, is clearly making women's issues a year-round concern.

"I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons," President Obama has said ( http://www.america.gov/st/texttrans-english/2009/June/20090625163135wltsruh0.9575159.html ). "Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity - men and women - to reach their full potential."

ENDS

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