EMILY's List

$78,403,309 raised for candidates since 1985. 354,910 members strong and growing.
Contribute

Clinton addresses violence against women during African tour

By Emily on 08/11/2009 @ 12:50 PM

Tags: Hillary Clinton, Feminism

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making headlines during her trip to Africa this week, particularly as she fights to end sexual violence against women and empower women across the continent.

After traveling to Angola, South Africa, and Kenya, Clinton headed to Congo, where widespread sexual violence has made the area the most dangerous place for women and children, according to international aid organizations.

The numbers are astounding: "The United Nations has recorded at least 200,000 cases of sexual violence against women and girls in the region since conflict erupted in 1996, something Clinton deplored as 'one of mankind's greatest atrocities' before she arrived."

During her visit to Goma, the center of fighting in Congo, Clinton presented a $17 million dollar plan designed to help combat violence. She also urged Congo's government to take immediate action: "We believe there should be no impunity for the sexual and gender based violence, and there must be arrests and punishment because that runs counter to peace.”

Clinton has also focused on empowering women economically during her trip. In Kenya, Clinton spoke about the need to provide new opportunities for women in the workforce. “Women are doing the work of a whole continent, washing clothes, gathering firewood, raising children; and if given the opportunity of economic empowerment they can transform communities and local economies,” she said.

Comments

Leave a Comment

?
You Type You See
*italics* italics
**bold** bold
[ask google](http://google.com) ask google
+ item 1
+ item 2
+ item 3
  • item 1
  • item 2
  • item 3
> a really cool quote from a nice person
a really cool quote from a nice person

* Required information

Comment Preview

© 2011 All rights reserved. EMILY's List, Early Money Is Like Yeast, and the EMILY's List logo are all trademarks of EMILY's List.

1120 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20036 | Main Phone Number: (202) 326-1400


Contributions or gifts to EMILY's List or endorsed candidates are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.

Contributions are subject to the limitations and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.