Fighting International Trafficking, Oppression, Illiteracy and Impoverishment of Women

Thank you Madame Chair. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the human rights of women at this 59th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

It is my honor to represent the United States in forums that address the social, educational, economic, and political status and concerns of women. Women make up over half the population in countries around the world. But in too many places, they remain oppressed, subject to violence, and denied the education and economic opportunities necessary to improve their lives. The United States is committed to the principle that women and girls must have equality of opportunity for success.

Strong communities, strong economies and progress towards true democracy depend on the full participation of women. Families are better served and children better nourished and educated when women's equal rights and fundamental freedoms are secure.

President Bush has repeatedly said that respect for women is a non-negotiable demand of human dignity and a foreign policy imperative. Respect for women is not only in keeping with the deeply
held values of the American people, it is -- as Secretary Powell has emphasized -- strongly in the U.S. national interest.

The United States has a long and successful record of advancement of women and girls, particularly in education, economic opportunity, health and safety, and political participation. We know the problems
that women face in these areas. The real challenge is to find solutions.

As a former teacher I know that education is the foundation for success. Unfortunately, as Secretary Powell noted last year, two thirds of the one billion illiterate people in the world are women and
girls. Depriving girls of an education has many serious consequences. In Secretary Powell's words, "dramatically increasing literacy among women and girls must be a major global priority, and placed at the top of national development agendas."

Indeed, among the first major initiatives undertaken by President Bush when he took office was to gain passage of the No Child Left Behind Act. He wanted to ensure that schools were meeting the needs of every child in the United States. U.S. programs in many countries teach basic literacy skills, improve teacher training, and provide educational uses of technology. By rejoining UNESCO in October, we
hope to work with that organization to advance child literacy internationally, as well.

While maintaining central roles in their families, women are increasingly breaking new ground and assuming leadership positions in many fields. Yet they can still be subjected to gender discrimination
and violence.

Trafficking in women, domestic abuse, harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, so-called "honor crimes," rape, forced abortion and sterilization, and other horrific acts threaten
the health and lives of women and girls. Such violence often goes unchecked due to indifference of state officials and failure to investigate and prosecute cases seriously.

In the United States, Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and of 2000 to address domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in a comprehensive way. Local governments also are passing tough laws. Women who are victims can find shelters and counseling
provided by the private sector, including non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups and community groups.

The United States assists other countries by providing funding and training for police, lawyers, judges, medical personnel, crisis center personnel and government officials on overcoming domestic violence. We also support shelters for abused women overseas.  Women who are beaten in their homes or attacked on the streets, raped, trafficked, or subjected to other forms of violence cannot participate
effectively in the political process, the economy, or the social life of a country. Trafficking, in particular, violates human rights and denigrates the dignity of women by treating them as commodities.

Recognizing the magnitude of the global problem, the U.S. is committed to working with other countries to eliminate trafficking.  The U.S. Congress has recognized this scourge and its effect on women
and children, passing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. As Secretary Powell said on the release of the 2002 Trafficking in Victims Report, "Trafficking leaves no land untouched, including our
own. Approximately 50,000 people are trafficked into the United States every year. Here and abroad, the victims of trafficking toil under inhuman conditions -- in brothels, sweatshops, fields and even in
private homes."