News
Hilary Clinton Devoted To Combating Violence Against Girls
During her recent speech at the event hosted by the Government of the Netherlands in New York City, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton devoted to combating violence against girls.
There were several surprising and/ or shocking things about and in that speech. First, that it came from US, a prominent US politician. I had respect for Hillary Clinton before, for being a strong female figure in US politics. This speech however elevated her to a completely different level in my eyes. That US is making combating violence against women part of its foreign policy abroad is significant. It makes sense though – nations where women are equal to men in their rights, prosper and are more economically and politically stable. Bringing peace to nations ravaged by war and instability through protecting basic human rights of their women is absolute genius.
Second, I was shocked by stories of different types of violence against women, including acid attacks. This is incredible what intimidation techniques can be used against women, how violent demonstration of male power can become in societies where human rights are not protected by law, where there is no legal action against those who commit such crimes.
At the same time Mrs Clinton’s speech is hopeful and reassuring. As she says, we need to ‘support those who are standing up’. We need to act. It won’t be a quick and easy process, but step by step, small change after small change, we can make it happen. We can change lives of girls and women around the world for the better.
Yes, we can.
Posted on October 22nd 2009 by Test Member in Blog
