Kerry: Women Make The World A Better Place

Us Committed to Empower Women Around the World

As the world celebrated International Women’s Day, US Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged the achievements of women for making the world a better place.

In a press statement in Washington DC, Secretary Kerry said International Women’s Day is an opportunity to remember the extraordinary achievements of women throughout history.

The special day for women is also the day to honor women of today who lead, inspire, and work to improve their communities, seek solutions to conflict, cure disease, and build peaceful and prosperous societies.

“From human rights to human security, women have made our world a better place.” – Secretary Kerry

A Day to Reflect on What More Can Be Done to Empower Women

According to Secretary Kerry, March 8 is not only the day to celebrate the world’s women – past, present, and future but also a day to reflect on what more needs to be done to empower over half of the world’s population.

U.S. Army officer Lt Col Pam Moody with a group of Afghan women on International Women's Day 2011.
U.S. Army officer Lt Col Pam Moody with a group of Afghan women on International Women’s Day 2011.

US remains committed to empowering women and girls and achieving gender equality globally

According to Secretary Kerry, gender bias hinders development. Knowing this, the US remains committed to empowering women and girls and achieving gender equality globally.

Secretary Kerry emphasized that no government will meet the needs of its people if it does not fully represent everyone.

To honor the extraordinary works of women around the world, the US State Department presented its annual International Women of Courage Award since 2007.

“We do this because no economy will fully prosper if half its population is excluded from participating.” – Secretary Kerry

The prestigious award recognizes women who have contributed to global peace, prosperity, and progress – often in the face of incredible adversity. This coming March 29, the US State Department will honor again women awardees.

Obama Committed to Empower Women and Girls

With the USAID launching a women’s leadership fund, the Obama administration has reaffirmed its commitment to empower women and girls around the world.

The Obama administration is taking steps to do more to increase women’s participation.

The State Department has recently created an initiative for women in public service as well.

In 2012, Secretary Clinton signed a new Declaration on Women’s Participation.

In his address to the 2011 UN General Assembly, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to increasing women’s participation. He called upon member states to formulate steps to break down economic and political barriers for women and girls.

The United States introduced the UNGA Third Committee resolution on “Women and Political Participation,” which calls on all states to end discriminatory laws and actively promote and protect human rights for women to take a part in public life.

The resolution was adopted with more than 130 co-sponsors.

The United States is looking forward to identifying new partners who will help them deliver on the President’s challenge.

The President says he intends to lead by example in the United States, by harnessing the extraordinary talents of women and girls, to create an America that’s built to last.

Empowering Women With Legislation

To reaffirm the Obama administration’s commitment to empowering women in the 21st century, President Obama signed the very first bill when he came to office which was was the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

The Bill helps protect women and their right to equal pay for equal work so that people like Lori have a remedy to discrimination.

The President also took steps to increase student loan awards, and reduce repayments, in order to make college more affordable for young people like Mahala.

President Obama also ordered investment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for young girls, so that more women have the capability to compete for the jobs of the 21st Century.

President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act that provides for health insurance for all people of the United States and prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against women and provides women with the kind of preventive care they need.

President Obama has placed women in many of the highest positions within his administration including the previous Secretary of State, the UN Ambassador, the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Labor.

Nearly 50 percent of his appointees to district courts are women, by far the highest percentage of any President in American history.

Recently, President Obama has already appointed two women to the Supreme Court, including the first Latina. He recently nominated the first woman to be a four-star general in the history of the Air Force.

The United States was at the forefront in 2009 and 2010 in leading efforts at the UN to support the consolidation of the UN’s existing gender-related institutions into a single more effective women’s agency.

The United States plays a leading role, along with international partners, in supporting the empowerment of women, within the UN system, through participation in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain English. Mina Fabulous is the pen name of Carmen Avalino, the NewsBlaze production editor. When she isn’t preparing stories for NewsBlaze writers, she writes stories, but to separate her editing and writing identities, she uses the name given by her family and friends.