A Structure to Match the Vision

Watching Hillary Clinton before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee was an unalloyed joy. Smart, committed, grounded. Values I've admired ever since we first worked together in 1992 on her husband's campaign. In fact, she's the reason I was appointed US Ambassador to Austria, where we brought 170 women leaders from Eastern Europe to exchange strategies with their counterparts in the West. The gains made on behalf of women by Senator Clinton in the Democratic primary will continue with her selection as Secretary of State. The woman who 13 years ago at the UN Conference on Women in Beijing declared unapologetically that "women's rights are human rights" will more than ever stand on a global platform.

It's no surprise that Senator Clinton's nomination by President-elect Obama was greeted by most women with elation. But having a strong showing of women in high places is distinct from addressing the concerns of women as a group. And so many are urging President-elect Obama to re-constitute the White House Office on Women, which was all but dismantled during the Bush administration. With so many decisions made outside of Cabinet meetings, it's important that a strong voice for women's interests be within the purview of the West Wing.

Women's advancement must be a priority for political and policy reasons. We were the deciding demographic during the presidential campaign. We propelled Hillary Clinton to victory in primary after primary; in the general election, we accounted for 56% of the voters who elected Barack Obama. Analysts say that women's role in America's electoral politics is likely to increase. We will play a major role in determining the outcome of the 2010 midterm and the 2012 presidential elections.

As for the policy side, women's general concern for entrepreneurship, family, health, education, and the environment enriches all areas of the President's policy agenda. Given his interest in broad coalitions to back his platform, it's important to note that women as a group have proven exceedingly able to compromise across party lines and forge long-term, sustainable solutions to social problems. And so the question of what structure will best address women's concerns is not a side issue, to be faced once our economy gets back on track or the Middle East achieves equilibrium.

In terms of foreign policy, a critical mass of women's leadership (usually about 30%), is a key to stabilizing war-torn countries and one of the most effective ways to counter the rise of extremism. Senator Barbara Boxer, during an interview on January 13th, discussed the plans of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to form a US Commission on Women's Rights, to be led by the women members of the Committee. The Senate's attention is encouraging, but the Commission must not address women only as victims. Yes, women suffer disproportionately across most cultures, but they must be among the decision-makers determining the solutions to their problems.

Without a clear signal of the importance of their work from the President-elect, many American women leaders and organizations will be frustrated and possibly less engaged in this administration. A highly visible Office on Women will send the signal that our strengths are valued and our struggles acknowledged. A December 16th letter from a broad coalition of women's organizations called upon the President-elect to create a Cabinet-level Office on Women. Others are advocating for a commission devoted to increasing the percentage of women in political life. Whatever differences we have, we agree that the overarching office must be high enough to be integral to the formulation of domestic and foreign policy.

As the majority of the population, women are not just one more constituency among many. Underrepresented in the legislative branch (around 17%), and the same on the Supreme Court (11%), it's all the more important for women to be robustly represented in the executive branch. As a Ugandan friend of mine says about women's rightful role -- "Nothing about us without us."

Comments

[catw]

Ms. Hunt's position is extraordinarily well argued. That over 50% of the population has to make an argument for inclusion is evidence of our continued inequality. We need to make equality for women a reality under the Obama Administration and this is one way to be serious about that goal.

Norma Ramos, Esq.
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women

[policy248]

Dear Ambassador Hunt,

Not only is a White House office for women a great idea, but I can think of no one more qualified to fill that post than you.

[Precious2009]

Dear Ambassador Hunt,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on 'A Structure to Match the Vision'.

I agree that Hillary is an execellent choice for Secretrary of State.
She's not only smart, she's knowledgable and like President Ellen Johnson Serlief, an excellent role model for women all arround the world. Expecially, the women of Liberia as we strive to attain leadership positions in governance, decision making and the security sectors.
In a nutshell, she is a true fufilment of UNSCR 1325

I think that President Obama should not only reconstitute the office of women but, should make concerted efforts to ensure that atleast 30% of high level positions in his government are filled with women.

It is an established fact that women are better negotiators.

[Betty Crocker]

Ambassador Hunt is uniquely positioned to comment effectively on the importance of the advancement of women in government. Her persuasive ethos arises from many years experience successfully promoting female leadership around the globe, especially in countries with entrenched military conflicts. I am grateful for her wisdom in writing about this matter.

It"s time we begin cultivating the next generation of female leadership in business and government. Establishing an Office for Women at the White House as suggested by Ambassador Hunt could be helpful in supporting college-age American women who seek careers in our government. The college women I teach need this support. Additionally, because of the high cost of attending university, many women are taking time off from college because they lack clarity about their careers and academic choices. In this economic climate, the cost of college is not only increasingly difficult, it is increasingly precious. Opportunities for public and private sector internships and service learning jobs would help many young American women clarify their career aspirations and pave the way for future employment.

[cknight]

Great points. Assuming we get a revived Office of Women in the White House, the next question is how to get some production of real difference for women out of it. I don't have the inside experience to give much guidance there, but I do know of outside efforts that relate to the policy outcomes that structural change would empower. Here's one that is happening this coming week:

Demos, the National Council for Research on Women, the Ms. Foundation for Women, Pax World Mutual Funds, Women Thrive Worldwide, the New York Women's Foundation and the Financial Women's Association are collaborating on a forum at Demos about
"Gender Equality as an Investment Concept" (Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Demos in NYC). They believe the economic stimulus plan must invest in women. Sara Gould, president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, writes, "The plan must include minimum standards for recruitment, employment and retention of women in non-traditional trades including funding for workplace supports like child care and paid sick leave."

[Deborah Sigmund]

Dear Ambassador Hunt,
I agree with your article regarding Hillary during the confirmation process. I too, am so excited to
have her in the Administration and as Sec. of State, she can put the emphasis on women's issues
here and around the world. My main concern is that we put an end to Human Trafficking and Modern
Day Slavery. With Hillary in the lead, I honestly feel we can create a world that will not allow this to
go on. Congress woman Carolyn Malone has a bill in the works to go after traffickers for tax evasion.
It may be the way to put them out of business.
Innocents at Risk is dedicated to protecting women and children from this horrific evil. We are currently
working with Flight Attendants and training them to act when they see potential victims.
I would love to have the opportunity to talk with you further. When can we meet?
I would be happy to do so anytime.
Best Regards, Deborah

[Susan Post]

It seems all the more important that there be a White House "women's czar" since it looks like Obama, with his penchant for czars, will have something of a "shadow Cabinet" working within the West Wing. In any case, the issues of women worldwide transcend any one Cabinet department or Congressional committee. The success of programs such as micro-lending in developing countries, largely focused on women, shows that when women are seen and treated as having power, great strides can be achieved. Efforts need to be centralized and globalized at the same time.

[Nanaama]

The only politician who will have my support will have to be a liberal, left of centre. .An I don´t care whether it is a man or woman, although I am a woman.Besides, the only qualification for a job should be excellence and merit and not gender.Let the most qualified person do the job.

[JWRyan]

"With women providing over 50% 0f the workforce, over 50% of childcare and over 50% of the voting population it is nonsensical for women to have so little say in the welfare of the country, its children, elderly and military."

Well, yes, I suppose. The interesting part of these kind of lists is why is that so? Since they have the numbers (and a relatively secure, secret vote) I would like to see some thoughts on just why women don't vote for other women and fix that apparent disparity in numbers vs. public power. I have always thought the idea that things will be very different if women are running things to be pretty hilarious. Madeline Albright recently said at a dinner I attended (and I paraphrase a little) "that people who think the world would be a nicer place if women were running things have clearly forgotten high school". There was a great quote in this week's New Yorker in a review profile of Hannah Arendt where she is criticized for not loving the Jewish people and she says that, no, she does not love any group; only individuals. I welcome the day when these discussions stop being about what group is running things (as though it was some sort of football game - Yay, our team's ahead!) and focusses more on what the individuals running things do when they are in power and then hold them accountable.

[Ann Guyer]

Ambassador Hunt speaks for a situation that exponentiates down the ladder. Representation in government requires adequate numbers to make a determining difference for the issues that women speak up for such as peace & security, economical equality & opportunity, social issues, family safety & education.
With women providing over 50% 0f the workforce, over 50% of childcare and over 50% of the voting population it is nonsensical for women to have so little say in the welfare of the country, its children, elderly and military.
I applaud Hillary Clinton's appointment. It is a auspicious testament to her credentials and leadership and foretells a presidency that reaches beyond politics to substance.

[Forum]

By stepping in to high posts women are expected to really occupy this new for them space and make it a space for change. It is a role of women in politics to change agenda, gain strength to step from hopes and promises to making decisions.. Many challenges are ahead of them. Not all enthusiastically will support their ideas and new initiatives. Because there will be traditions and models of traditional and masculine institutional behavior that will function as barriers, and also simple lack of people, lack of understanding, experience and resources for new ideas and realization of changes. New usually needs to be proven, old has a historic path and a green line. No doubt in direction, more consistency in keeping this direction. In twenty, forty years from now such suggested Commission with full budget and well staffed will be taken as granted by others and will be seen and considered as a natural part of the political landscape.
But not now " now you have a chance to prove it and occupy this space and make a path for others. HE Swanee Hunt is right " nothing about us " without us. Women were not in politics and there was nothing about women, so it is women"s job to bring in to politics about women " structures, processes, institutions. But women outside of political offices, from women"s organizations can and should help in every way to women in offices. By such discussions, articles, speeches, data, analysis, etc

[CFINERAN]

It is thrilling to see Sen. Clinton at this place in the world... There is such hope for our tattered leadership on the planet. Women do manage differently. It is an exciting time. The Women Waging Peace Project at the Kennedy School has been one of the most inspiring concepts. It women could just talk with each other and look at logical, practical outcomes to maintain peace and create enough wealth to hold families together, it is a huge step in the right direction. Reorganizing the Womens Office would be a way to bring hope to millions. I was lucky to be one of the Women Business Owners who started a business in 1970's as a single mom, and now, forty years later, using those skills to negotiate care giving, aging and creating a new business. We have much to learn, and much to teach. We can create a safer, saner world for all of us when our skills are used. Hooray for Women like Hilary and Swanee who dare!

[historymatters]

As long as more than one-half of the world's entire human population can not achieve their fullest potential in all aspects of life, this planet will be in peril. Imagine the amount of creativity, intelligence, energy, hard work, new ideas and perspectives there would be if women were not shackled by misogyny, sexism, abuse, and antiquated cultural traditions!

[Jules1221]

Creation of a White House Office on Women is a good next step to raising the profile of women's issues. The participation of women in elected office is still unsatisfactory, for example, and a White House body that focusses on women would continue to build legitimacy and help galvanize women to seek elected and appointed office. There is an affiliation of state organizations working to train Democratic women to run for office called Emerge America.

37% of Emerge alumnae have run for office, and 50% have won. In 2008 alone, Emerge America had 82 runs and 42 wins. Studies have shown that when women are present in elected bodies, a higher
percentage of "progressive policies" are implemented. Progressive policies are often championed by female leaders, improving public policies in areas such as healthcare, education, and the environment.

A White House Office on Women is needed to collect data and share best practices and promote the inclusion of women at all levels of government and business.

Thank you Ambassador Hunt for continuing to press the issue.

[blackandmoore]

I agree folks forget that sexism is alive and well in America. I knew in my heart, that a man of color, would be elected to be president before a woman. We say we value, woman and children in this country, but we have a long road to travel on that issue.
I am so hopeful, with Senator Clinton, working in the White House and of course with President elect Obama, coming into power. Hillary is an inspiration to all people, but to me as a woman....I am so proud of her and the advancement she made for all of us.