The highlight for the last day of CSW was the speech gave by the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.  It was 15 years ago at the Beijing Conference where Hillary had electrified the conference with her famous call 'womens rights are human rights, and human rights are women's right'.

15 years later, she came to the UN to reflect on where the world had come from and what still needed to be done.  She recognized the work occurring all over the world and noted how women will always seize opportunities to improve their own lives and those of their families.  She recognized that today there are more girls at schools, more women in jobs and more women in public office.

She noted however, this progress means that we are not at the end of the story, and if we are lucky we are at the end of the beginning.  She called on the world to write the next chapter to change the current status of women where the majority of the world poor are women, the majority of the world's hungry are women and children, where childbirth is a leading cause of death and injury, where war impacts on women disproportionally, where women are sold and sexual assault against women is used as both a prize of war and a tactic.

She noted that women are now leading the way in promoting human rights for all women, and sent a message to these women that they are not alone, and that we stand with them.

Senator Clinton stated that the evidence is clear that when women are free to achieve their potential, everyone benefits.  She noted that where there are equal rights nations are more stable, safe and prosperous.  She suggested that the subjection of women is a threat to the security of a country and is a global issue.  she noted that history has taught us that any peace negotiated without women is not a sustainable peace and reflected that UN resolution 1325 reflects the principle that women can be powerful peace builders.

In the speech she made a commitment that the Obama administration would work towards the ratification of Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).  She noted that there was determination to do this, it was past time.  She also noted the importance of creating the new UN Gender Entity, seeing that this will galvanize the commitment that women deserve.

She noted that all over the world, talent is universal but opportunity is not.  One of her key messages was that women's progress is human progress.

It was an incredible experience to be in the room listening to this woman leader and role model.  It was a fitting end to the CSW and provided an opportunity to renew efforts to work towards a more equal world.  Those of us able to be part of this experience were incredibly invigorated and excited to be part of this CSW.


Hillary Clinton addresses the 54th Session of CSW