Office of International Women's Issues

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Senior Coordinator Travels to Middle East to Meet with Government and Civil Society Leaders Andrea Bottner, the State Department’s Senior Coordinator for International Women’s Issues, traveled to the Middle East in July, visiting Cairo, Egypt and Amman, Jordan to meet with government and civil society leaders on a number of issues impacting women in the region. Full Text

Director Denounces Gender-Based Violence and Recognizes Mexico’s International Women of Courage  Andrea G. Bottner, Director of the Office of International Women’s Issues, visited Mexico City and Ciudad Juarez to raise awareness about violence against women and learn of efforts in Mexico that address this important human rights issue. While Ms. Bottner denounced violence against women and expressed concern over unresolved murder cases and disappearances of women in Mexico, she commended Mexico’s recent legal reforms created with the intent to improve access to justice, increase transparency within the country’s justice system, and to eradicate violence and discrimination against women.  Full Text

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Speaks Out on Sexual Violence As An Instrument of Warfare On June 19, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the UN Security Council on the issue of sexual violence as an instrument of warfare.  Full Text

The First Lady Visits Afghanistan First Lady Laura Bush recently visited Afghanistan to see the progress made on various aid programs, and to report her findings to the Afghan donors’ conference in Paris. She visited several projects where U.S. assistance to women and children have been most effective, such as the Bamiyan Regional Police Training Center where she met with several women police officers.  She also visited the Ayenda Learning Center where 128 of Bamiyan’s most disadvantaged children will be schooled in a nurturing environment. As part of her trip, the First Lady paid tribute to U.S. troops at the Bagram Air Base and to troops in the New Zealand PRT, part of the international security forces committed to Afghanistan’s security.  More | Afghanistan Donors Conference Remarks

Highlighting Gender-Based Violence Prevention Efforts in Vietnam During her visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in June 2008, Andrea Bottner, Director, Office of International Women’s Issues, highlighted progress made and discussed ongoing challenges related to the prevention of and response to domestic violence in Vietnam.  In meetings with Government of Vietnam officials, the Vietnam Women’s Union, as well as local and international non-governmental organizations and media, Ms. Bottner praised the passage of two pieces of positive legislation impacting women, the 2006 Law on Gender Equality and the 2007 Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, which will be validated in July 2008.  More  | Media Note

Secretary of State Confers the International Women of Courage Awards Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky today marked International Women’s Day 2008 by presenting the second annual International Women of Courage Award to eight women around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women’s rights and advancement. This is the only Department of State award paying tribute to emerging women leaders worldwide and offering a unique opportunity for transformational diplomacy in the field of international women’s issues. The honorees from Afghanistan, Fiji, Iraq, Kosovo, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Paraguay, and Somalia have transformed their societies and serve as an inspiration to the international community. They are among over 95 exceptional women of courage nominated by U.S. Embassies worldwide for their diverse contributions to freedom, justice, peace, and equality.  Press release | Secretary Rice's remarks and statement

Senior Coordinator Andrea Bottner Delivers Remarks on Human Trafficking "Through forums like this, we continue our dialogue, and more importantly, we continue to identify ways we can further support our shared vision of an America, and a world, where the inherent dignity and worth of every human life is fully realized and human trafficking no longer exists."  Full Text

Courageous Women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Beyond: A Record of Success in Democratic Transition Senior Coordinator Andrea G. Bottner spoke at Heritage Foundation on March 5, 2008 in honor of International Women's Day and in celebration of the Heritage Foundation's 35th Anniversary. In her remarks entitled, "Courageous Women in Iraq, Afghanistan and Beyond: A Record of Success in Democratic Transition," she highlighted recent successes in democratic transition, showcased the courage of women standing up for liberty around the globe, and discussed some of the Administration's priorities for advancing human rights and democracy. Full text

Panel Focuses on Violence Against Women at Senior Roundtable for Women’s Justice Senior Coordinator Andrea G. Bottner led a panel discussion at the March 12, 2008 Senior Roundtable for Women’s Justice entitled, “Case Study: The San Diego Family Justice Center.”  The San Diego Family Justice Center (FJC) was featured and discussed as a model and best practice in domestic violence intervention and prevention.  The panel included remarks by the founder of the FJC model, CEO for the YWCA of San Diego County and President of the National Family Justice Center Alliance, Casey Gwinn and Sue Else, President of the National Network to End Domestic Violence Fund.  An expert in domestic violence, Ms. Else has provided essential technical assistance for the Family Justice Centers in the U.S.  Continued