International Women's Issues Newsletter: Spring 2003

The U.S. Government is committed to fighting HIV/AIDS in women and girls through prevention, treatment, care, and support activities. Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky delivered that message in her remarks on the acute vulnerabilities of women and girls to HIV/AIDS at the February 26, 2003, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) conference on "The Destabilizing Consequences of the Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic." Dr. Dobriansky pointed out that women and girls now account for half of all HIV infections worldwide and increasingly bear the burden of providing care and household income when family members become sick from HIV/AIDS.

In her remarks, Dr. Dobriansky identified key action areas that will reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV/AIDS: providing women with educational, employment, and business opportunities; combating and prosecuting violence against women, particularly trafficking in persons; encouraging women’s participation in government at all levels; and fighting poverty and famine.

The Under Secretary went on to describe U.S. Government initiatives that seek to arrest the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its devastating effect on women and girls. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), proposed during his 2003 State of the Union address, is a five-year, $15 billion initiative that intends to provide care for 10 million persons living with HIV and AIDS orphans, treat 2 million individuals with HIV, and prevent 7 million new infections. PEPFAR will incorporate the $500 million Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) initiative announced in June 2002. In March, the U.S. sponsored a roundtable discussion at the UN’s Commission on Status of Women (CSW) that discussed mother-to-child HIV transmission and these initiatives.

As President Bush said in the State of the Union address, "seldom has history offered a greater opportunity to do so much for so many. We have confronted, and will continue to confront, HIV/AIDS in our own country. And to meet a severe and urgent crisis abroad." Through the President’s initiatives and other government programs, the U.S. stands ready to help women and girls worldwide confront the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

Reaffirming the Bush Administration’s support of women, First Lady Laura Bush issued the following statement in celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2003:

Today the world celebrates International Women’s Day, an occasion to honor the accomplishments of women and to reaffirm our commitment to promote and protect women’s human rights worldwide. Equal opportunity for women and freedom from fear are non-negotiable demands of human dignity. Although each country, each culture, is unique, we believe that women’s human rights are inalienable.

Well-educated and empowered women are pillars of national development for all countries, including our own. Allowing all of our citizens, regardless of gender, race or national origin, to realize their full potential is our collective challenge. As we meet this challenge at home and abroad, the common welfare of humanity is advanced.

The practice of systemic discrimination against women violates fundamental moral and legal norms. Every society should fully embrace and utilize the human capabilities of this often-repressed half of its population.

America’s resolve to help build a world of hope and opportunity is ever stronger. All people have the best chance to thrive in societies where fundamental freedoms, human rights, and property rights are ensured. As we celebrate this day, I encourage all Americans to join us in recognizing the myriad contributions of women in all fields of endeavor around the world.

Secretary Powell met with several Iraqi women activists at the Department of State on April 23. The women briefed the Secretary on the most critical needs for women and children in liberated Iraq. During their conversation with the Secretary -- and later on the same day in an expanded meeting with non-governmental organizations, human rights groups, and other U.S. officials hosted by Under Secretary for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky -- the women asked that priority be given to restoring the educational sector, improving health care and social services for women and children, fostering political participation by women through training and exchanges, assuring judicial and legal reform, and providing human rights guarantees.

Earlier, the women and other Iraqi expatriates met at the White House with Vice President Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. They also appeared at the Foreign Press Center with Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky. "We want to help Iraqis take back their country and build a foundation for a better democratic society, a society based on Iraqi tradition and culture, but one founded on the universal principles of freedom and liberty," said Dr. Dobriansky. "However this turns out, it is clear that the women of Iraq have a critical role to play in the future revival of their society. They bring skills and knowledge that will be vital to restoring Iraq to its rightful place in the region and in the world," she added. White House officials made clear the contacts were not part of U.S. efforts to plan for a post-Saddam government in Iraq, but simply to hear personal stories of life under the Iraqi leader.

Administration officials continue to meet with Iraqi women, exchanging ideas about their path forward in a free and open Iraq. On April 11, Under Secretary Dobriansky spoke about the important role of Iraqi women in transition to democracy at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Senior Coordinator Charlotte Ponticelli.  Department of State Photo

Charlotte (Charlie) Ponticelli was appointed Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State on April 7, 2003. Reporting directly to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, the office serves, as Secretary Powell has pointed out, as the "focal point within the Bush Administration for the development and implementation of our pro-women foreign policy agenda." Prior to assuming her current position, Mrs. Ponticelli served as Deputy Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues. Before coming to the Department in September 2002, Mrs. Ponticelli was Director of Lectures and Seminars at The Heritage Foundation.

Mrs. Ponticelli has extensive government experience, serving previously at the White House (Director of Congressional Correspondence in the Office of Legislative Affairs), the U.S. Agency for International Development (Congressional Liaison Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean), and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commissioner Assistant).

During the Administration of President George H.W. Bush, Mrs. Ponticelli was Director of Human Rights and Women's Affairs in the State Department's Bureau of International Organization Affairs, and later moved to the International Republican Institute, where she designed and implemented several projects to assist democratic forces in the Balkans.

Mrs. Ponticelli is the recipient of several Superior Honor Awards from the State Department. She received the Veritas Award from Albertus Magnus College in 1996. In 1984, she was given the Outstanding Young Alumna Award at her alma mater, Hood College, in Maryland. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) from Hood College, Mrs. Ponticelli earned a Master of Arts degree in Spanish literature through New York University's program in Madrid and studied in the doctoral program in Spanish at The Catholic University of America.

Mrs. Ponticelli said, "I am excited about carrying out the administration’s pro-women agenda, helping them become fully involved in economic and political life. President Bush, Secretary Powell, and National Security Advisor Rice truly believe in the important role women play in building stable, prosperous and democratic societies, and it’s an honor to be part of this effort."

The U.S. team worked to include language that encourages women’s empowerment through education, economic development, health, and safety — all priorities of this Administration. Ms. Dew commented: "I am so pleased that President and Mrs. Bush have made literacy a top priority and that the No Child Left Behind initiative will help ensure that schools will emphasize the importance of children learning to read." Ms. Dew also mentioned "the numerous, significant appointments in this Administration that have gone to well-qualified women."

The U.S. delegation also worked to include language on the harmful effects pornography has on women. During a media interview, I explained, "We could not address media, the Internet, violence against women, or sexual trafficking without confronting the widespread impact of pornography in each of those areas."

We also held a well-received luncheon briefing on U.S. initiatives to combat the worldwide epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Since almost half of the 42 million people living with HIV/AIDS are women, the CSW provided a valuable forum for pointing out President Bush’s $500 million initiative to combat mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and the President’s five-year $15 billion global HIV/AIDS fund. As Mrs. Farris noted, "It would be impossible to overemphasize the importance of these efforts for women and children because even when women don’t have the burden of living with the disease themselves, they often bear the brunt of caring for those affected by the disease."

The 2003 CSW concluded with several positive outcomes for the United States. Agreed conclusions were achieved on the participation and access of women in the media and information technology; and resolutions on HIV/AIDS, Afghan women and gender mainstreaming were adopted by consensus. The United States had co-sponsored the "Women and HIV/AIDS" resolution, recognizing the gender dimension of this pandemic and the importance of women’s empowerment in the fight to conquer this disease. The United States also co-sponsored the resolution on "Gender Mainstreaming."

The Commission was unable, however, to reach final agreed conclusions on Violence Against Women within the two-week session. Delegations were called back on March 25, but the vice chair chose not to reopen negotiations. The United States and other countries held firmly to the principled position that the Commission must reach agreement within the allotted time on how states should, as Ambassador Sauerbrey put it, "end the scourge of trafficking, domestic violence, rape and other horrific acts of violence to which women are subjected."

Consistent with the President's often articulated commitment to the cause of advancing political and economic equality for women, the U.S. government will be very sensitive to the status of women as MCA is implemented. Certainly, countries that fail to advance women's human rights would not be expected to pass the criteria established for MCA.

The Bush Administration is confident that MCA's emphasis on good governance and human rights for all, sustainable economic growth and free enterprise, health and education for all, anti-corruption efforts and inclusive processes will be extremely beneficial for women.

In February, the President sent to Congress a legislative proposal for implementing this new initiative, and the Administration is currently working with Congress to achieve full funding for MCA.

As President Bush has said, "This new compact for development can produce dramatic gains against poverty and suffering in the world…. As the civilized world mobilizes against the forces of terror, we must also embrace the forces of good. By offering hope where there is none, by relieving suffering and hunger where there is too much, we will make the world not only safer, but better."

On the Afghan side, participants included co-chairs Foreign Minister Abdullah, Minister of Women’s Affairs Habiba Sarabi, and 8 other ministers. The key topics discussed included education, political participation of women, human rights, the new constitution, economic development and small business opportunities for women.

Foreign Minister Abdullah said after the USAWC meeting: "You can imagine, 16 months ago, what was happening in this soil just right in this place where we are standing right now and other areas in our city: torture, tyranny against the nation…. Women and children, as the most vulnerable sections of society, suffered the most in a widespread way because of the official policy…by the ruling authorities. So the change from that situation to this situation I consider a major turnaround in the history of mankind…. The life of every single woman and man in this country has changed for the better as far as the policy of the government is concerned. But that is not the end of the road, rather [it is] the beginning. But it is a very good beginning, a very bright beginning of the road. We need to move forward with the help of our friends in the international community. We are grateful for the assistance by the U.S. government, by the people of the United States in all fields."

One of the priorities of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is to create a network of Women’s Development Centers in each of Afghanistan’s 32 provinces. At the end of the Council meeting an agreement was signed for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to contribute $2.5 million towards this goal. In addition, the Council announced its plans to issue $1 million in grants, which will contribute towards educational programs at these centers. The Council will provide money for literacy education, programs to further human rights and political participation, as well as programs to teach techniques for development of small businesses, micro-enterprises, and the management of non-governmental organizations. The Council will fund projects implemented by Afghan NGOs and their U.S. NGO partners, with priority to be given to programs that reach out beyond the provincial capitals and seek to train women in rural and remote areas who would not otherwise have access to such training.

"In Afghanistan as in Central Asia, the status of women is a critical barometer that is linked to a much larger set of issues about personal life, national identity and the role of religion in the state" commented then Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues April Palmerlee in her keynote speech at the University of Georgia’s February 19-21, 2003 symposium on "Globalization and Change in Central Asia." Attitudes towards girls’ education and employment opportunities for women outside the home reflect a fundamental position on preferred nature of society and the role of women is part of a larger ideological debate between traditionalist and modernist forces.

The Senior Coordinator’s February 19 keynote speech opened the conference, which then included two days of panel discussions featuring a range of academic and diplomatic personalities discussing various aspects of development in Central Asia. Daria Fane, Afghanistan Coordinator in the Office of International Women’s Issues also attended the symposium, and participated in the Roundtable discussion on "Women in Central Asia."

Senior Coordinator Palmerlee outlined the United States commitment to helping Central Asia become a stable, peaceful, prosperous region, and affirmed the State Department’s commitment of promoting the human rights of women worldwide. In that context, September 11 set into motion a series of challenges that provided new opportunities to improve the statues of women in Afghanistan. Now the Taliban regime is history, and the Central Asian states played a positive role in providing logistical support for coalition troops helped enable Afghanistan to enter a new phase.

The drafting of a new Afghan constitution will be an important opportunity to establish the necessary guarantees for women’s rights. Some of the defining issues for women will be reflected in the balance between Islamic personal status laws and the civil law code regulating personal and family relations and equalizing the duties and responsibilities. One obvious example is the question of polygamy, which is legally prohibited in the countries of Central Asia, but is permitted in Afghanistan.