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Office of International Women's Issues

President Bush and his administration are deeply committed to addressing issues that are important to American women and women throughout the world. Promoting women's political and economic participation in their countries is an important element of U.S. foreign policy.

The Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues coordinates the integration of women's issues into the broader U.S. strategic, economic and diplomatic goals.

Charlotte Ponticelli is the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues. In conjunction with other bipartisan, public and private actors, the Office supports the incorporation of protection of women's human rights into U.S. foreign policy.

Bush Administration Officials on U.S. Pro-Women Policy
"We have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace ... We have no intention of imposing our culture.  But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance." President George W. Bush

"People around the world are looking closely at the roles that women play in society. And Afghanistan under the Taliban gave the world a sobering example of a country where women were denied their rights and their place in society... Today, the world is helping Afghan women return to the lives that they once knew.... Our dedication to respect and protect women's rights in all countries must continue if we are to achieve a peaceful, prosperous world.... Together, the United States, the United Nations and all of our allies will prove that the forces of terror can't stop the momentum of freedom." First Lady Laura Bush
 
"The worldwide advancement of women's issues is not only in keeping with the deeply held values of the American people; it is strongly in our national interest as well. In today's world, any American Secretary of State, male or female, must pay attention to the issues affecting the rights and well being of women -- over half the world's population. Women's issues affect not only women; they have profound implications for all humankind. Women's issues are human rights issues... . We, as a world community, can not even begin to tackle the array of problems and challenges confronting us without the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of life." Secretary of State Colin L. Powell

"Ensuring women's rights benefits individuals and their families, strengthens democracy, bolsters prosperity, enhances human rights and advances religious tolerance. It is at the core of building a civil, law-abiding society, which is an indispensable prerequisite for true democracy. The advancement of issues of concern to women has been a long-standing American goal. This administration has intensified that pursuit." Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, Paula J. Dobriansky

  
Highlights

Dec. 15 - The Department of State, Office of International Women's Issues, funds project to train Iraqi women journalists to gather oral histories and document the stories of victims and eye witnesses of the Saddam regime's attrocities again women.  [Meridian House Releases].

Dec. 12 - Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues talks about her conversations with Iraqi Women in Baghdad, Washington D.C. and Morocco. [Remarks]

Amb. L. Paul Bremmer, Administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority, and the senior civilian authority in Iraq, marked International Human Rights Day, in a December 10 speech calling for full protection for Iraqi women's rights.

President Bush, Under Secretary Dobriansky and other U.S. Government officials welcomed the visit of 18 Iraqi women politicians on November 9-19, 2003 in Washington, DC. [White House release]  [Women's Issues release]

First Lady Laura Bush and National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice meet with Afghan women.

First Lady Laura Bush and National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice, (far right) meet with members of the U.S. - Afghan Women's Council.  (White House photo by Susan Sterner)

 U.S. Support for Afghan Women, Children and Refugees: [Report] [Appendix] [Media Note]

Read Under Secretary Dobriansky's article in The Washington Post, "Standing up for Iraqi Women,"

To be notified by email when new items on women's issues and Newsletter editions are posted online, sign up for our electronic subscription service. Select DOSINTLWMN.


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