VITAL VOICESClinton, Hutchison, Amanpour, von Furstenberg, Koppel,
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An all-star cast of women including Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Kay Bailey Hutchison, Diane von Furstenberg, Andrea Koppel, Lisa Ling and Julia Ormond, came together at the Washington Life sponsored 2006 Vital Voices Gala Leadership Awards honoring international women pioneers and their efforts to protect human rights. "Tonight, we celebrate all women speaking out for democracy, tolerance, justice and civic dialogue," CNN's Christiane Amanpour said. This year's awardees included Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman ever elected to lead an African nation; Mukhtaran Bibi, who fought the criminal justice system in Pakistan after being gang raped and used her monetary compensation to build two primary schools in her village (one for boys and one for girls); seven Kuwaiti women activists who led the fight to get women in Kuwait the right to vote and to run for public office; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Minister of Finance, who has taken bold steps to advance the economy of her country; and Rita Chaikin, who has dedicated her life to fighting human trafficking. Co-chairs Janet Langhart Cohen, Beth Dozoretz, Bitsey Folger, Marilyn Harris, Timothy Keating, Marlene Malek, Diane Nelson and Margaret Tutwiler helped raise over $500,000 for Vital Voices programs worldwide.
VITAL VOICES AWARDEES
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, 2006 Global Trailblazer Awardee "Amidst the devastation that surrounds them, more than 75 percent of the country's
citizens turned out to vote in a free and fair election. They chose Ellen Johnson
Sirleaf-the first woman ever elected to lead an African nation - to help Liberia
overcome its enormous challenges," Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala"
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala
is the first woman ever to head the Ministry of
Finance and Economy in Nigeria. She has taken significant steps to crack down on
corrupt practices, improve transparency and to advance the economy of her country,"
Diane von Furstenberg
Rita Chaikin
"As a result of her tireless efforts, she now coordinates a center in Haifa where she is
helping to stem the tide of human trafficking in her country and beyond." Julia Ormond
Dr. Lubna Al-Kazi and the women of Kuwait
"Their tireless efforts and their belief that a better future for their country depended
on women having a say in the political decisions of their country [made it possible] to
achieve the right to full political participation."
Dina Powell
Mukhtaran Bibi
"Instead of committing suicide, as shame and tribal tradition would compel the victim
of such an honor crime, Mukhtaran fought back. She reported the rape and fought to
have her attackers brought to justice… She received compensation through the criminal
justice system, which she used to build two primary schools." Andrea Koppel
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EXCLUSIVE
REGAL LUNCH
Vital Voices held a luncheon with Her Majesty Queen
Rania at the home of Beth Dozoretz on Friday, May 5th
for the supporters of the Vital Voices Jordanian
Young Women's Leadership Training Program to
be held later this year in Jordan. With the investment and
collaboration of a small group of women who attended the
lunch, Vital Voices will be able to bring together a group
of young Jordanian women with established leaders and
trainers, enabling them to share knowledge and cultivate
ongoing professional support. Guests included: Marlene
Malek, Elizabeth Bagley, Bitsey Folger, Debbie Dingell,
Vicki Sant, Susan Davis, Tia Cudahy and Judith McHale.
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Martin Indyk and Gahl Burt |
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Christiane Amanpour and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala |
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Women's Empowerment: A Key Ingredient for Democratic
Transformation in the Broader Middle East and North AfricaBY PAULAJ DOBRIANSKY
UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR
DEMOCRACY AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS
One year ago this month, the women of Kuwait reached a new milestone in their nation's history when they gained the right to vote and to stand for political office. After four decades of sustained political activism, they broke down a major barrier to women's equality and empowerment.
Their success has given hope to women throughout the Broader Middle East who share the universal vision that women deserve an equal voice at the political table, in government, in the economic sphere, and in civil society. The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with the women of Kuwait.
Women's empowerment is more than the right to cast a vote. Under the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the United States is working with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and other U.S. government agencies to give women the tools they need to realize their potential, and that of their countries
This includes developing an Arab Women's Legal Network to provide training, mentoring, and a resource directory as well as building the capacity of grassroots women's NGOs through advocacy and outreach skills. Through networks, training, mentoring, and leadership development, we are supporting indigenous calls for reform. We see women building on their political successes in places like Bahrain, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. We see the new reality of empowered women in Afghanistan, where women are now running their own businesses and serving in government. We see the vital role women are playing in Iraq, where they are on the frontlines of building a democracy, leading with resilience throughout the challenges their nation faces.
We salute the women and the government of Kuwait as they mark this important one year anniversary, and we look forward with great anticipation to the women candidates and voters who will shape Kuwait's 2007 elections.