On
March 8, we mark the 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day. In the early years, this day honored those
who fought for equal rights for women, including the right to vote, hold public
office, and end discrimination. Today,
we observe International Women’s Day to reflect on the progress that has been
made, to celebrate the courage and determination of women who have made a
difference in their communities and countries, and to focus on the next steps
in assuring that women are equal partners in society.
As
Secretary Clinton has stated repeatedly, the major security, governance,
environmental, and economic challenges of the 21st century cannot be
solved without the participation of women and girls at all levels of
society. I think we can all agree that
if women are healthy and educated, their families flourish. If women are free from violence, their
families flourish. If women have an
equal chance to work and earn a fair wage, societies flourish. And if women serve in governments and their
voices are heard at full volume, their presence has a direct impact on society,
on peace and security, and on strengthening democracy.
We
can also agree that year after year, we see more and more women assuming
prominent roles in all facets of life.
For example, here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, five of the deputy
ministers in the new state-level government are women. However, despite the advances we have seen,
the truth is that many women, here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the U.S., and
around the world, still face daunting challenges. Why aren’t there more female leaders in top
positions in government and in the political parties? Why are there so many women in the ranks of
the unemployed? Why do so many women and
girls still suffer from domestic violence and rape, and why do so many of the
perpetrators get away with at most a slap on the wrist?
These
are some of the tough questions that need a response from our governments and
citizens. In December, President Obama released the first-ever U.S. National
Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, charting a roadmap for how my
government will increase support for campaigns
against domestic violence and increasing women’s economic security, and push
for ways to increase women’s participation in politics and also help prevent
conflict and keep the peace. Bosnia and Herzegovina
developed a similar plan in 2006, and we look forward to intensifying our
current efforts with government authorities and the citizens of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to ensure meaningful participation of women in all aspects of
society.
Over the past five years, the U.S. government
has invested approximately $10 million dollars into women’s political and
economic empowerment, and I have asked my staff to find more ways to support
the women of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I
am honored that my government can support NGOs that work to empower women, help
establish closer networks between women entrepreneurs, and encourage young
women-politicians as they learn the skills they need to run successful election
campaigns.
Progress never comes as fast as we would like,
but we cannot afford to be pessimists. Our
common goal to empower women is a historic effort that will not be achieved
overnight. It will require persistence
and long-term commitment, from politicians, civil society activists, educators,
students, businesses leaders, and, most importantly, from the new generation of
women leaders.
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