General Women's Message
by Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State for Women's Empowerment Shirin Tahir-Kheli

My name is Shirin Tahir-Kheli, and my current position is Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State for Women's Empowerment. My job is to advise the Secretary of State about how the United States can help women worldwide have greater enfranchisement and participation in the decisions that affect their lives. I took this position at the request of Secretary Rice. I come to work every day driven by the belief that the enfranchisement of women worldwide can no longer be a simple aspiration. Today, the empowerment of women is critically and irrevocably tied to the safety, security, and prosperity of the entire world.

There used to be a time when women's empowerment was "the nice thing to do." In our more recent history, it has become "the right thing to do." But our mission is to help people realize that while both "nice" and "right", the empowerment of women is now mission critical. This new awareness is due largely in part to the support and advocacy of President Bush, as well as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who so eloquently reminds us that, "… respect for women is a prerequisite for success of countries in the modern world. In the dynamic 21st century no society can expect to flourish with half its people sitting on the sidelines, with no opportunity to develop their talents, to contribute to their economy or to play an equal part in the lives of their nations."

Women are essential agents in bringing about change. They are an often overlooked resource in the preservation of human security, in overcoming transnational dangers and managing threats arising from tyranny, international trafficking and crime, poverty, and disease. Just think about it, the Department of State's primary mission is to "Create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community." How is that possible without the empowerment of women? If women cannot participate in the political process, there can be no real democracy. If women are deprived of economic opportunity, development is crippled. If women are not educated, they cannot pass knowledge to their children, and there is no true security for the next generation. The spread of HIV, international crime, and trafficking all stem from a lack of women's empowerment.

There is no better way to touch the heart and soul of a country than to reach out to women - because for the most part, no woman will pass up the chance to create a better and more hopeful life for her family. Income in the hands of women has a dramatic impact on the well being of their families. Women spend a significantly higher proportion of their income on children's food, health, and education, and there is considerable evidence to show that women's education and literacy tend to reduce the mortality of their children. The empowerment of women, thus, will have far-reaching results on overall human security and freedom.

I can say with all honesty that I have grave concerns about the state of women in the world today. Too many women are living with great vulnerability in conflict situations. Too many women are subjected to violence and harmful traditional practices. Too many women are poor and illiterate. Too many women do not have access to legal and justice systems. Too many women lack any sort of economic or political enfranchisement. And these vulnerabilities profoundly affect the well-being of entire communities, nations, and ultimately, human progress as a whole. So, While this month we celebrated International Women's Day, so must we also remember that the empowerment of women is a constant, year-round priority, and that women's issues are everyone's issues. Creating new opportunities for women in requires dedication, commitment, and passion, but the investment is well worth the effort. Know that in the United States of America, you will always have a friend and a partner in this journey.