I was really interested when I heard about the BBC Documentary Hilary Clinton: The Power of Women. Hilary Clinton is perhaps one of the most famous and most powerful women in the world. With speculation that she might stand in the Democratic seat for President in the US election next year, the topic of women's power has never been more relevant. Moreover, 2015 marks 20 years since Hilary Clinton made her famous 1995 Beijing speech in which she stated: "women's rights are human rights.' The documentary touched on many aspects, below is a summary of the key topics which stood out for me.
1. The context in which Clinton made her 1995 speech.
More than ever, women's bodies became a tool of war, 'the front lines', in post Cold-War conflicts such as the Balkan wars.
The key here is effective action. For example, are more effective enforcement mechanisms needed to prosecute sexual violence as a war crime? De sure change does not always lead to immediate de facto change.
3. Advocating peace does not equate to pacifism.
'I believe in peace but I'm not a pacifist.' - Madeleine Albright
When crimes against humanity occur because of war, the international community has a responsibility to intervene even if force must be used.
4. The power of collective female pressure can force peace.
When women make their voices heard in mass numbers, their powerful force cannot be ignored. The role of women in Liberia is an example of the power of women.
5. Educated women are the biggest threat to repressive regimes.
Repressive regimes have often used education, or the lack of female education, to repress a society. The lack of education keeps people in ignorance and misogynistic ideologies are taken as norm. Education is the most powerful way to implement de facto change.
'When people are educated it broadens their horizons.' - Condoleezza Rice.I've linked to the this video before, but I really do think it articulates the power of educated women so well.
6. Prostitution - the world's wealthiest industry?
The industry, which thrives of abusing and violating women's rights, is worth US$150 billion. That is more than the combined profits of Apple, MacDonald's and Google.
7. The western world doesn't always enforce what it preaches.
Politicians can be hypocritical. Western countries have allied with and 'propped up' countries who do not share, or have no interest in sharing, the same principles of human or women's rights. Does the undermine western messages, principles and values? Yes.
 |
| Former American President Bill Clinton and former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak |
8. Concepts of freedom and democracy still do not include the concept of women's rights
As seen with the Arab Spring uprisings, women's rights are still not recognised as part of democracy and freedom. Revolution does not always lead to politics.
9. Mysonginistic women are larger hinderances than men.
'There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.' - Madeleine Albright.
10. Is there any long term significance of mass media campaign?
Are mass media campaigns short lived? They are powerful tools for raising awareness for campaigns, but how quickly does the focus shift? How quickly do we forget? Do they translate into de facto change?
 |
| Has the world forgotten about the Nigerian girls? |
11. We still have so much more to achieve.
 |
Some of the World's most powerful leaders (from top left clockwise); President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (Argentina), Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar (Trinidad and Tobago), President Atifete Jahaga (Kosovo) President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Liberia), Chancellor Angela Merkey (Germany), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed (Bangladesh), Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt (Denmark), President Dilma Rousseff (Brazil). |
No comments:
Post a Comment