Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today commended Working Women’s Forum for bringing micro-credit to women, in bringing healthcare and other services to women so they could have a better life for themselves and their children.
According to Ms. Clinton, there were only 800 women members in 1978. Today, there are more than 1 million members.
“I am honored to be here with you to celebrate your accomplishments in bringing micro-credit to women, in bringing healthcare and other services to women so they could have a better life for themselves and their children.” -Ms. Clinton
She said she had seen women’s lives change from Bangladesh to India to South Africa to Chile and Nicaragua and Latin America through the Working Women’s Forum’s help.
Ms. Clinton announced that Goldman Sachs, a very important global financial company, has decided to support a training program through the Indian School of Business to help self-help groups bring even more knowledge and skills about how to take your businesses from the very local village level to the cities, to the countries, to the world.
She also stressed that the Government of the United States and the Government of India will establish a regional training program at the Asia University of Women to spotlight the success of the panchayat program, and train more women to be local leaders .
“We also want to continue working with the Working Women’s Forum on the very serious problem we just heard about, violence against women.” -Ms. Clinton
She highlighted that the U.S. government will work with the group to address the health problems caused by breathing smoke while cooking.
She stressed that the United States has worked with many partners around the world to create the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.
“And we’re very proud that the Indian Government launched its own National Biomass Cookstove Initiative two years ago, that is trying to save lives and improve the conditions for cooking for millions of Indian women.” -Ms. Clinton
Ms. Clinton thanked the Working Women’s Forum for their accomplishments. She stressed that she will continue working with the group on the important issues that are necessary to empower women.