- Bill Clinton
Updated: May 17, 2013
On Wednesday President Obama signed a presidential memorandum to strengthen and expand the federal government's efforts to advance gender equality at home and abroad. One provision of the directive establishes an interagency working group to foster coordination on international gender issues across federal agencies and promote new action.
AAUW's member-adopted Public Policy Program illuminates and advances AAUW's mission of promoting equity and education for all women and girls at the local, state, national, and international levels. AAUW applauds President Obama for strengthening his commitment to global gender equality and looks forward to working with newly appointed Secretary of State John Kerry to implement this presidential memorandum. Advocates of UN Women's Rights Treaty Renew Ratification Efforts for 113th Congress
Advocates for the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) delivered petitions and a letter signed by more than 100 organizations to each Senate office to build momentum for ratification of the treaty in the 113th Congress. CEDAW is the only international legal instrument that comprehensively addresses women’s rights within political, cultural, economic, and social spheres at the local, national, and international levels. The United States has been a signatory to CEDAW for over 30 years, but has yet to ratify the treaty. Ratification requires 67 votes in the Senate.
AAUW has endorsed the ratification of CEDAW since 1981, and urges the Senate to take action to ratify this important treaty.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for January 11, 2012.
In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Director of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons published a blog post about U.S. efforts to end modern slavery. As many as 27 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery.
AAUW believes that global interdependence requires national and international policies against human trafficking and policies that promote peace, justice, human rights, sustainable development, and mutual security for all people. To learn more about how you can help end human trafficking.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for January 11, 2012.
A new study by the United Nations Population Fund found that investing in family planning in developing countries could save up to $11.3 billion each year in health care costs. Currently, there are 222 million women in developing countries who are not receiving adequate family planning services. In addition to reducing health care costs, the study shows that increased access to family planning services can contribute to economic growth and development, lower infant mortality rates, and improved gender equality. In recent years, funding for family planning in developing countries has declined and contraceptive use has remained about the same globally.
AAUW supports the right of every woman to safe, accessible, affordable, and comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services. AAUW believes that improved pregnancy prevention programs, new technologies, and access to complete reproductive health services enhance women’s reproductive choices, which leads to improvements in women’s health care around the world.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for November 30, 2012.
October 11 was the first International Day of the Girl Child, as declared by the United Nations in December 2011. The day was dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the struggles and advancements of girls all across the world. In honor of the first Day of the Girl, an online summit was held to bring together activists worldwide. You can learn more and find ways to get involved by reading AAUW’s blog.
AAUW promotes the empowerment of women and girls every day — across the U.S. and around the world. Since AAUW’s founding over 130 years ago, women have made great strides toward achieving equality of opportunity, and AAUW has long been a key catalyst for such change.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 12, 2012.
On Monday, the White House announced the launch of Equal Futures, a partnership between the United States and 12 countries to help empower and advance women and girls. Each country has made its own commitments to achieve this goal. The United States has pledged to expand opportunities for women in business, leadership, and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and to promote economic security for domestic violence survivors. Partners will share updates and progress at the World Bank Spring Meetings in April 2013.
AAUW strongly supports promoting and strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, especially for girls and other underrepresented populations. Such efforts will help increase America's competitiveness by reducing gender barriers that deter women from pursuing academic and career goals in these fields.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for October 5, 2012.
This week, a coalition including the Norwegian, British, U.S., and Swedish governments made a six-year commitment with Bayer Healthcare to reduce the cost of an implant contraceptive. The more affordable, long-term contraception will be available for 27 million women in developing countries at only half the price. The coalition said that by preventing unwanted pregnancies, the contraceptives will also reduce overall health care costs and reduce the number of maternal and child deaths.
AAUW supports the right of every woman to safe, accessible, affordable, and comprehensive family planning and reproductive health services. AAUW’s 2011-2013 Public Policy Program advocates for “increased access to health care and family planning services,” and supports “international family planning programs.”
- from AAUW's Washington Update for September 28, 2012.
Today President Obama issued an Executive Order on Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls Globally. The executive order directs departments and agencies to implement the new United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally, which was developed by the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The executive order also creates an interagency working group to be chaired by the State Department and USAID and tasks that working group with updating or revising the strategy after three years.
AAUW advocates for freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. We are proud to support prevention of and response to violence against women and girls worldwide. Not only is violence against women and girls a gross human rights violation, it is also a public health epidemic and a barrier to promoting women’s economic security and solving global challenges such as extreme poverty, HIV/AIDS, armed conflict, and terrorism. AAUW will continue to advocate for similar measures to protect women and girls worldwide.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for August 10, 2012.
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2012 is set for introduction on Tuesday in both the House and Senate by Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). The WPS Act supports implementation of the U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, launched through an executive order from President Obama last year. The executive order and the proposed law detail national policies to ensure women’s participation in preventing conflict and building peace, as well as their protection during these times. Additionally, the WPS Act would introduce training programs to highlight the importance of women’s participation in conflict resolution and prevention; encourage the U.S. to support female mediators; eliminate existing barriers preventing women’s participation; and require the secretary of state to work with the Pentagon and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to complete an annual report on women, peace, and security.
AAUW proudly endorses the Women, Peace, and Security Act to promote the inclusion of women in governmental and peacemaking decisions. AAUW recently participated in Women Lead: Civil Society and Peace-Building Worldwide, a conference which focused on electing more women, leading local organizations pushing for reform, and promoting women’s leadership in global peacemaking. Read more about AAUW’s international work to promote equity for women and girls across the globe.
- from AAUW's Washington Update for July 27, 2012.