Sen. Clinton Champions Women's Health Worldwide

Late on election night, I received an email from a Planned Parenthood staff person, Njeri Wahome, in Nairobi, Kenya. Njeri wrote to me to verify what she was seeing on television -- that Senator Obama had won. "Can it be true? We are over the moon ... at the making of history." For a woman who has dedicated her life to improving the health of women and children in her home country, Njeri knew that a change in U.S. administration could have a dramatic impact on women in Kenya. For the past eight years, the Bush administration has enforced a global gag rule, an executive order that prevented thousands of health care entities around the world from providing women with birth control. In some parts of Africa, women have a one-in-10 risk of dying in childbirth. And as Nicholas Kristof wrote in the New York Times in October, the result of the so-called "pro-life" policy has likely been tens of thousands of additional and avoidable abortions each year. In addition to implementing the gag rule, each year the Bush administration has denied funding to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, at the behest of the far right -- money that would have paid for the provision of critical reproductive care.

Today, the incoming administration will generate another celebration by women all around the world when President-elect Obama names Hillary Clinton as our next secretary of state. The selection of Senator Clinton represents an important first step down a new path for American foreign policy -- an enormous shift represented by the selection of a champion of women's health and rights to be in charge of America foreign policy.

As first lady and as a U.S. senator, Hillary Clinton visited more than 80 nations, but for a majority of the world's population, her unique quality may be her gender. Senator Clinton understands that improving the status of women is not simply a moral imperative; it is necessary to building democracies around the globe. Improving the status of women is key to creating stable families, stable communities, and stable countries. Women's ability to control the size of their families, regardless of economics, nationality, or culture, has a direct impact on their economic well-being and that of their children. Senator Clinton understands that women's quality of life directly affects the major issues confronting the globe: national security, environmental sustainability, and global poverty.

In a speech that, by the standards of the Bush administration, sounds positively radical, Clinton addressed the Cairo Plus Five Forum at the Hague in 1999, saying, "Women's reproductive health and empowerment are critical to a nation's sustainability and growth ... we now know that no nation can hope to succeed in the global economy of the 21st century if half of its people lack the opportunity and the right to make the most of their God-given potential. No nation can move forward when its women and children are trapped in endless cycles of poverty; when they have inadequate health care, poor access to family planning, limited education."

What a new day it will be when we can quit fighting with our government over the need to bring health care, education, and equality to women in every country -- including our own. Let's hope for a swift confirmation for our new secretary of state and celebrate her taking on this enormously important assignment. To Njeri and the thousands of women like her who see the impact of U.S. policy every day -- it is the true beginning of the 21st century.

Comments

[sidel1932]

While I see Ms. Richards' points about H. Clinton's appointment being helpful in advancing women's status and rights,
such a narrow viewpoint of Clinton's new role is a disservice. Broadcasting that view wide and loud will, in fact, make Ms. Clinton's difficult task ahead more difficult. Ms. Clinton must use all tools available to mend fences and secure the vital interests of USA and the world. Women's rights (reproductive choice and others) are long range goals better advanced by actions of other organizations than our state department.

I was shocked early in Ms. Rhichards' posting by the lack of insight shown by her statement:
"... Hillary Clinton visited more than 80 nations, but for a majority of the world's population, her unique quality may be her gender." If that were true, GW Bush made the first and strongest step in that direction by appointing Condaleeza Rice to the office. I hope that the majority of the world will see this appointment as an indication of more thoughtful and productive foreign policy; not as a gender issue.

Were it not for some intra-party political considerations, I think that HEW might have been a more appropriate post for Clinton (especially if women's health and reproductive rights were her top goal), and Bill Richardson an excellent choice for Secretary of State. However, I'm hopeful that Pres. Elect Obama is choosing the best candidates for each position. So far I believe that he has; he gives good explanations of his choices.

sidel1932

[Nancyann]

I would really like to know what Mrs. Clinton has done for women. She worked with Marion Edelman for exactly 1 year on women's issues. What more has she done? She is certainly not a role model for women when she got where she is on the back of a man and stayed with a serial adulterer to further her career.

I don't think that HRC is a team player and will only further her own ambitions in this position. As a person who worked hard for Obama I am greatly disappointed in all the Clintonistas he is surrounding himself with Too bad!!!!!

[live by the golden rule]

While you read this, remember that it was given in China.
http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Hillary-Clinton/

[Rosey]

Finally, no more b.s. foot dragging on the part of Hill and Bill. Hillary needs to make an effort on behalf of ALL people - not just women. Her predessor was a disgrace so she can only do better. Jan 20 can come soon enough for me!

[Colleen33]

I think its a grand move as Hilary is as American as apple pie as she is well received around the world. Clinton has a universal appeal as she has always been one who has been concerned about the well being of all. I believe Hilary is a very good choice and although she may not be able to give the aid needed to countries in dire need she will be an inspiration to many. As hard economic times take their tole we will also see more and more terriost attacks in neighboring countries and it would be a sign of the times if countires would get together and co operate to help stop these attacks.

[Yermammy]

How about we build a Democracy here, first. LEAVE OTHER NATIONS ALONE. This sticking our nose in other people's business might seem like the yuppie thing to do, but we got freedom problems HERE. This nation/empire building is insane and has been pursued under one name or another for centuries. It's called Empire Building. And EVERY ONE of them have faded to dust. They overspent, over extended and out stretched their supply line. We're now in Afghanistan, like we REALLY don't know how this is going to shake out. IT ISN'T. Nothing short of carpet bombing that region with nuclear weapons will ever have any hope of succeeding, and then it won't be livable for an eon. The British Raj, the Russian Bear and Alexander the Great tried it and THEY FAILED MISERABLY. Those mountains are called the Graveyard of Empires for a reason. Let country's decide their own fate. Stay out of it. Feed people HERE. Fight for OUR LIberties. Bloody OIL is the only reason we "spread democracy". Get real.

[onceler]

birth control is not empire building. helping increase women's rights around the world is one of the best things the US can do. what you're talking about has no relation what so ever to the subject at hand.

[flossophy]

Exactly, onceler... It's amazing how many people confuse what we're trying to do in the Middle East with what the Soviets did in Afghanistan. Yermamy seems to have fallen for the 'america is an empire that will fall - so we should focus on more food stamps at home' rhetoric.

Who's advocating this sentiment?

[kwijibo]

It's ironic that Mrs. Clinton's claim to international affairs fame during the primary process was an Irish Peace Accord in which she claimed a leading role but played no discernible part.

The idea is to hire to hire an honest broker, someone with a powerful resume demonstrating sustained superior performance in the area under question, in this case international affairs. Mrs. Clinton does not have that. Her credentials amount to looking over her husband's shoulder. None of the bills she's sponsored in the 109th congress have been groundbreaking in the area of international affairs. In fact, few of the bills she's originated have even made it past committees headed by her own party.

Clinton's been a strong and courageous advocate for our military service members, children, families and the aged but when you look at her record from the 109th congress, what successes or even mere attempts will you find in the area of international affairs? You tell me. I couldn't find any and I looked through the Thomas link on her own Senate website to see. Even her Senate biography lists no foreign affairs accomplishments, save mention that "she sponsored legislation to increase America’s commitment against Global AIDS." Where'd she get that idea, from George Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address?

Obama played politics-as-usual and chose a safe bet rather than a qualified, apolitical expert. It's political baksheesh to reward her for not contesting Obama's nomination.

[daddysboy]

This is the perfect job for a woman in politics that so few Americans seem to like since she will be abroad for most of her time.

[eshalom]

daddysboy,

18 million Americans liked Hillary enough they voted for her in the Democratic primary despite the fact that the sexist DNC and media handed the nomination to Obama. You're comment reminds me of the depravity still to be found on the left in the blogosphere.

[flossophy]

a broad for most of her time? doh

[eshalom]

kwijibo,

Throughout his campaign, Obama argued that superior judgment trumped experience, and his zealous left-wing online supporters, most of whom have never held a job, went all out to get their idol elected.

Odd how even before Obama's inauguration, his supporters are attacking him from all sides regarding his poor judgment in staffing his administration. Selections for his security team are among the most important decisions he's had to make so far, and the outrcies from the left suggest that he has failed miserably.

Is it possible that Barack Obama is a little more savvy about politics and the art of governing than his hordes of minimally educated, inexeperienced online minions who believe they know best how to run the country?

Let's hope so.

[popfolly]

Can we finally have an end to denigating Hillary Clinton who thankfully is finally able to take her place in the 21st Century history of great Americans

[Nancyann]

You got this correct!!!!

[ReportThis]

I hope that Obama invites that girl from the Bosnian airport to recite a poem at his inauguration. And that the network cameras all focus on Hillary during the reading.

[Gatogorra]

I'm all for reinstating programs for women's reproductive choice and health and I'm glad that Senator Clinton has such a good history in this regard. My concern is what direction this interest in health will take on other issues.

Senator Clinton sent staff to Rep. Maloney's vaccine-autism briefing conducted by David Kirby (Huffpost contributor) and so she's likely been kept abreast of recent developments in the science linking autism to vaccine toxins and induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently the WHO, etc., have been overseeing the exportation of thimerosal-laced vaccines to African and other third world nations. Though fewer and safer vaccines might save lives, many suspect that we're in the process of exporting autism and related autoimmune maladies to the "beneficiaries" of these programs because of toxic content.

There's evidence that this may not bode well for either children in Africa or for foreign policy. The currently reported rate of autism among recent Somali immigrants in Minnesota is 1/28-- cases which apparently almost all relate to double vaccinations-- one full round necessary before entry to the U.S. (with the full "Africa-vax" load of thimerosal) and another round of "America-worthy" vaccines (stil up to 71 micrograms of ethylmercury) upon arrival. Women of child bearing age who soon became pregnant and children were subjected to this battery.

I hope Clinton intends to modify her past enthusiasm about hypervaccination and look those "gift horse" vaccine exports in the mouth in lieu of the new findings.

[PresWatch]

Is rubber-stamping Bush's march to war the best way to champion women's health? How about ignoring the intelligence estimate? Not even reading it! How about voting against Levin's bill that would have required Bush to get Congressional approval for the war? Not comforting to know that this woman is going to be in a key position in Obama's administration! Surely there is someone better equipped to be Secretary of State. Why, Obama, why?

[kwijibo]

Mrs. Clinton is certainly an adequate choice but not the best choice. If Mr. Obama was serious about change, he'd have appointed a State Department "lifer" to head it instead of picking a divisive political hack such as Mrs. Clinton or anyone else from the most unpopular (and coincidentally Democrat-led) congress in the history of America, one with an approval rating half of that of George Bush.

[bluepearl2001]

Well, kwijibo, look on the brighter side. We could have been looking at the nightmare of the election of "Vice President Sarah Palin" (Dream on, Sarah...). That is, since we are talking about a "divisive politial HACK". Get real!

[bluepearl2001]

Hillary will represent BOTH genders, no doubt, but in case you hadn't noticed, women as a world wide group are the ones that do not get equal pay for equal work, nor do they get insurance coverage for birth control while men's insurance pays for ED drugs. It's time for a woman to get the job done. We have Hillary's back all the way.

[Vickster]

Diplomacy is the job of the Secretary of State, not acting as a champion of women's rights.

[kellygrrrl]

perhaps while she's visiting Russia, she can give a shout out to AK., because it seems they could really use some guidance on Women's Health issues.

[kathy4change]

AK needs a BIG shout out! They need lots of help - especially with the hockey mom mentality! Hopefully, these will be Sarah's last 2 years as Gov and we will remember her as the Joke of the 08 elections who disappeared from the public stage to be of more help to her family!

[Yermammy]

I'm just sad for her now. She really is pitiful and out of her league. Like a chipmunk dropped into a barrel of rattlers. BUT, if she foolishly gets the bighead, from her mouthbreather worshippers and tries to run again, I'm going to work to humiliate her so bad, Wasilla won't have her.

[woodcut]

Religion - I hope after 01/20, things can happen without religious tyranny. For example:

> birth control & responsible sex ed. = less abortions. Hillary please help in this area!

> marriage for gays and lesbians.

> tax status of religious org'tions that preach politics - review & act.

[kellygrrrl]

Thank You!!!!!!

[flossophy]

Religious tyranny? woodcut, it's called democracy. When someone loses in the voting booth, it is not because of tyranny.

As Sec'y of State, I hope she pushes that agenda instead of nuclear arms control.

[daddysboy]

Religion, when debased as it has been in America, represents a political power outside of the rule of law so I'd say that qualifies as tyranny.

[SaulZ]

"Senator Clinton understands that improving the status of women is not simply a moral imperative; it is necessary to building democracies around the globe. Improving the status of women is key to creating stable families, stable communities, and stable countries. "

Very well said, Cecile.

Hillary is definitely a very respected woman across the globe.

[Nancyann]

Not highly respected by many many people in this country!!!!!