    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [March 12, 2004]
    [Pages 375-380]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Efforts To Globally Promote Women's Human Rights
    March 12, 2004

        Thank you all very much. It takes me 45 seconds to walk to work, and
    sometimes I get introduced by my wife. [Laughter]
    It's a heck of a job. Thanks, Laura.
        Laura is--you know, one of the interesting
    moments in our family came when she gave a radio address. She used the
    President's time to give a radio address, to speak to the women of
    Afghanistan. And it made a big difference in people's lives. And it was
    from that moment forward that she, personally, has dedicated time to
    make sure that people who have been enslaved are free, particularly
    women. And I'm proud of Laura's leadership.
        In the last 2\1/2\ years, we have seen remarkable and hopeful
    development in world history. Just think about it: More than 50 million
    men, women, and children have been liberated from two of the most brutal
    tyrannies on Earth--50 million people are free. All these people are now
    learning the blessings of freedom.
        And for 25 million women and girls, liberation has a special
    significance. Some of these girls are attending school for the first
    time. It's hard for people in America to imagine. A lot of young girls
    now get to go to school. Some of the women are preparing to vote in free
    elections for the very first time.
        The public whippings by Taliban officials have ended. The systematic
    use of rape by Saddam's regime to dishonor
    families has ended. He sits in the prison cell.
        The advance of freedom in the greater Middle East has given new
    rights and new hopes to women. And America will do its part to continue
    the spread of liberty.
        I want to thank a man who is working hard to continue the spread of
    liberty, and that's the Secretary of State, Colin Powell. I appreciate three members of my Cabinet who are here:
    Secretary Gale Norton, Secretary Ann
    Veneman, and Secretary Elaine Chao. I put together, in all due humility, the greatest
    Cabinet ever. And one of the

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    reasons why is these three ladies have agreed to serve. The President
    has got to get pretty good advice--I mean really good advice, frankly,
    from people other than his wife. [Laughter] I get great foreign policy
    advice from Condoleezza Rice, who is with
    us today.
        I want to thank other members of my administration who are here for
    this very important occasion to end what has been a very important
    dialog. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz is with us; Andrew Natsios,
    who runs USAID. Paula Dobriansky of the
    Department of State--and I want to thank you for going to Afghanistan
    recently with Joyce Rumsfeld, Secretary
    Rumsfeld's better half, who also went to
    Afghanistan recently to spread the word that America will stay the
    course, that when we say something, we mean it, and that we say we're
    going to--[applause].
        I just named a distinguished American to be a U.S. delegate to the
    U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, my sister, Dorothy. Thank you for being here, Doro. And I took the
    recommendation of Vice President Cheney for
    another member of the same delegation. He suggested that America would
    be well served by his eldest daughter, Liz. And he's right. Good to see you, Liz.
        I want to thank Rend al-Rahim, who is
    with us today. Rend, thank you for coming. She's the senior Iraqi
    representative to the United States. That is a forerunner to
    ambassadorial status, I guess. Certainly I'm not speaking for what is
    going to be the sovereign Government of Iraq. She's good at what she
    does, I'm telling you.
        There's a lot of ambassadors who are here. I want to thank you all
    for coming. It's good to see you. I appreciate you taking time to be
    here. This is an important conference. The message of the United States
    about freedom and liberty in the Middle East is a serious message. And I
    thank the Governments for being here to listen and to help us advance
    this vital cause for what's good for the world. And so thanks for
    coming. There's a lot of countries represented here, particularly Middle
    Eastern countries.
        As I told you, Joyce went to--and
    Paula went to Afghanistan. There are
    other members of the U.S. Afghan Women's Council that went to Kabul. I
    want to thank you all for going. I hear it's--one of the travelers,
    Karen Hughes, reported back, and
    Margaret did as well--Margaret Spellings,
    who is my Domestic Policy Adviser. They said it's unbelievable what's
    taking place there. The country is transitioning from despair to hope.
    And it's easy to see now. It's changing and changing for the better. The
    people of Afghanistan have just got to know that we'll stand with them
    for however long it takes to be free.
        I appreciate the Iraqi women who attended the Commission on the
    Status of Women in New York this week. I want to thank you all for
    coming. I appreciate you being here.
        I want to thank my friend Dr. Raja Khuzai, who's with us today. This is the third time we have
    met. The first time we met, she walked into the Oval Office--let's see,
    was it the first time? It was the first time. The door opened up. She
    said, ``My liberator,'' and burst out in tears. And so did I.
        Dr. Khuzai also was there to have
    Thanksgiving dinner with our troops. And it turned out to be me as well.
    Of course, I didn't tell her I was coming. [Laughter] But I appreciate
    that, and now she's here again. I want to thank you, Doctor, for your
    hard work on the writing of the basic law for your people. You have
    stood fast. You have stood strong. Like me, you've got liberty etched in
    your heart, and you're not going to yield. And you are doing a great
    job, and we're proud to have you back. Thanks for coming.
        Ambassador Ssempala is with us as
    well, from Uganda. It's great to see you again, Ambassador. Thanks. She
    made our trip to Uganda so special that time. She paved the way for what
    was a special trip. I'm going

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    to talk a little bit about HIV/AIDS. I want to thank you and your
    country's leadership on that important issue.
        Shamim Jawad is with us, Ambassador Said
    Jawad's better half. I want to thank you
    very much for being here, Shamim. Thanks for coming. I appreciate your
    coming.
        The Director of the Anti-Trafficking Operations for International
    Justice Mission is Sharon Cohn. She's with us.
    Let me tell what that means. That means she's working to end sex
    slavery. She is a noble soul who cares deeply about the plight of every
    woman. And I'm honored that you're up here, Sharon. I want thank you
    very much for your strong commitment. This Government stands with you,
    and our country stands with you. We abhor--we abhor--the practice of sex
    slavery. We will do all we can to help you.
        Support for human rights is the cornerstone of American foreign
    policy. As a matter of national conviction, we believe that every person
    in every culture is meant by God to live in freedom. As a matter of
    national interest, we know that the spread of liberty and hope is
    essential to the defeat of despair and bitterness and terror. The policy
    of the American Government is to stand for the nonnegotiable demands of
    human dignity: the rule of law, the limits on the power of the state,
    free speech, freedom of worship, equal justice, respect for women,
    religious and ethnic tolerance, and protections for private property.
    That is what we believe, and we're not going to change.
        We have transformed this belief in human rights into action. Last
    year, our Government devoted nearly $75 million to combat the worldwide
    trafficking in human beings. It's a brutal trade, inhumane trade, by
    sick people that targets many women and girls. I spoke out against this
    practice at the United Nations. I called upon the world to join us. This
    country is determined to fight and end this modern form of slavery.
        HIV/AIDS has orphaned millions of children worldwide. And in some
    African countries, nearly 60 percent of adults carrying the virus are
    women. In 2002, we created the Mother and Child HIV Prevention
    Initiative to prevent viral transmission of the virus between
    generations. It's an important initiative by this Government, but it
    wasn't enough.
        Last year, I announced an Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a $15
    billion commitment over 5 years to fight this deadly disease. This
    country is determined to turn the tide against this modern plague. When
    we see disease and suffering, we will not turn our back.
        The economic empowerment of women is one effective way to improve
    lives and to protect rights. Each year for the past 5 years, the United
    States Government has provided an average of $155 million in small
    loans, microloans. About 70 percent of those benefit women. It turns out
    the world is learning what we know in America: The best entrepreneurs in
    the country are women. In America, most new small businesses are started
    by women. With the right help, that will be the case around the world as
    well.
        We're determined to help women to find the independence and dignity
    that comes from ownership. These are necessary responses to urgent
    problems. Yet, in the end, the rights of women and all human beings can
    be assured only within the framework of freedom and democracy. If people
    aren't free, it is likely that women will be suppressed.
        Human rights are defined by a constitution. They're defended by an
    impartial rule of law. They're secured in a pluralistic society. The
    advance of women's rights and the advance of liberty are ultimately
    inseparable. America stands with the world's oppressed peoples. We've
    got to speak clearly for freedom, and we will, in places like Cuba or
    North Korea or Zimbabwe or Burma.

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        We stand with courageous reformers. Aung San Suu Kyi is a courageous reformer and a remarkable woman who
    remains under house arrest for her efforts to bring democracy to her
    nation. Earlier today, the Libyan Government released Fathi
    Jahmi. She's a local government official who was
    imprisoned in 2002 for advocating free speech and democracy. It's an
    encouraging step toward reform in Libya. You probably have heard, Libya
    is beginning to change her attitude about a lot of things. We hope that
    more such steps will follow in Libya and around the world.
        The advance of freedom cannot be held back forever. And America is
    working to hasten the day when freedom comes to every single nation. We
    understand a free world is more likely to be a peaceful world.
        When Iran's Shirin Ebadi accepted the Nobel
    for peace--Nobel Prize for Peace last year, here's what she said: ``If
    the 21st century wishes to free itself from the cycle of violence and
    acts of terror and war and avoid repetition of the experience of the
    20th century, there is no other way except by understanding and putting
    into practice every human right for all mankind, irrespective of race
    and gender, faith, nationality, or social status.'' That's a powerful
    statement coming from Iran. No wonder she won the Nobel Prize. She's a
    proud Iranian. She is a devout Muslim. She believes that democracy is
    consistent with Islamic teachings. And we share in this belief. That's
    what we believe in America. A religion that demands individual moral
    accountability and encourages the encounter of the individual with God
    is fully compatible with the rights and responsibilities of self-
    government. Promotion of democracy in the greater Middle East is
    important. It's a priority of ours. And it will be a long and difficult
    road. But we're on the way.
        Three years ago, the nation of Afghanistan was the primary training
    ground for Al Qaida. You heard Laura talk about
    the movie ``Osama.'' See it. It'll help enrich the words I'm about to
    say: The Taliban were incredibly barbaric. It's hard for the American
    mind to understand ``barbaric.'' Watch the movie. Women were forbidden
    from appearing in public unescorted. That's barbaric. Women were
    prohibited from holding jobs. It's impossible for young girls to get an
    education. That's barbaric. It's not right.
        Today, the Taliban regime is gone, thank goodness. Girls are back in
    class. The amazing accomplishment, though, is that Afghanistan has a new
    constitution that guarantees full participation by women. The
    constitution is a milestone in Afghanistan's history. It's really a
    milestone in world history, when you think about it. All Afghan
    citizens, regardless of gender, now have equal rights before the law.
        The new lower house of Parliament will guarantee places for women.
    Women voters in Afghanistan, as Laura said, are
    registering at a faster rate than men for the June election. What's new?
    [Laughter] Afghanistan still has challenges ahead, no doubt about it.
    But now the women of that country, instead of living in silence and
    fear, are a part of the future of the country. They're a part of a
    hopeful tomorrow.
        Iraq has a different history and yet a different set of challenges.
    Only one year ago--only one year after being liberated from an
    incredibly ruthless person and a ruthless regime, Iraqi women are
    playing an essential part in rebuilding the nation. They're part of the
    future of the country.
        Every woman in Iraq is better off because the rape rooms and torture
    chambers of Saddam Hussein are forever
    closed. He is a barbaric person. He violated people in such a brutal way
    that some never thought that the spirit of Iraq could arise again. We
    never felt that way here in this administration. We felt that people
    innately love freedom and, if just given a chance, if given an
    opportunity, they will rise to the challenge.
        Three women now serve on the Iraqi Governing Council. You just heard
    me

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    praise one. The historic document that was written recently guarantees
    the basic rights of all Iraqis, men and women, including freedoms of
    worship, expression, and association. The document protects unions and
    political parties and outlaws discrimination based on gender, ethnic
    class, and religion. It's an amazing document that's been written.
        Iraqi women are already using their new political powers to guard
    against extremism and intolerance in any form, whether it be religious
    or secular. The women leaders of Afghanistan and Iraq have shown
    incredible courage. When you think about what life was like months ago
    for many women, the fact that they have risen up is a testament to their
    souls, to their very being, their bravery. Some have paid for their new
    freedoms with their lives, but in so doing, their sons and daughters
    will be forever grateful. These leaders have sent a message throughout
    the Middle East and throughout the world: Every man and woman in every
    culture was born to live in freedom.
        The momentum of liberty is building in the Middle East. Just think
    about what's taken place recently. In 2002, Bahrain elected its own
    parliament for the first time in nearly three decades. Liberty is
    marching. Oman has extended the vote to all adult citizens. On Monday,
    its Sultan appointed the nation's
    first female cabinet minister.
    We're making progress on the road to freedom. Qatar has a new
    constitution. Yemen has a multiparty political system. Kuwait has a
    directly elected national assembly. Jordan held historic elections last
    summer. Times are changing.
        America is taking the side of those reformers who are committed to
    democratic change. It is our calling to do so. It is our duty to do so.
    I proposed doubling the budget for the National Endowment for Democracy
    to $80 million. We will focus its new work on bringing free elections
    and free markets and free speech and free labor unions to the Middle
    East.
        By radio and television, we're broadcasting the message of tolerance
    and truth in Arabic and Persian to tens of millions of people. And our
    Middle East Partnership Initiative supports economic and political and
    educational reform throughout the region. We're building women's centers
    in Afghanistan and Iraq that will offer job training and provide loans
    for small businesses and teach women about their rights as citizens and
    human beings. We're active. We're strong in the pursuit of freedom. We
    just don't talk a good game in America, we act.
        In Afghanistan, the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council is developing
    projects to improve the education of women and to train the leaders of
    tomorrow. You heard Laura talk about her deep desire to help train women
    to become teachers, not only in the cities but in the rural parts of
    Afghanistan. We'll succeed. We'll follow through on that initiative.
    We're pursuing a forward strategy of freedom--that's how I like to
    describe it, a forward strategy of freedom in the Middle East. And I
    believe there's no doubt that if America stays the course and we call
    upon others to stay the course, liberty will arrive and the world will
    be better off.
        The momentum of freedom in the Middle East is beginning to benefit
    women. That's what's important for this conference. A free society is a
    society in which women will benefit.
        I want to remind you of what King Mohamed
    of Morocco said when he proposed a series of laws to protect women and
    their families. It's a remarkable statement. It's like he's put the
    stake in the ground for women's rights. He said, ``How can society
    achieve progress while women, who represent half the nation, see their
    rights violated and suffer as a result of injustice and violence and
    marginalization, notwithstanding the dignity and justice granted to them
    by our glorious religion.'' It's a strong statement of freedom. He's
    right. America stands with His Majesty and

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    others who share that basic belief. The future of Muslim nations will be
    better off for all with the full participation of women.
        These are extraordinary times, historic times. We've seen the fall
    of brutal tyrants. We're seeing the rise of democracy in the Middle
    East. We're seeing women take their rightful place in societies that
    were once incredibly oppressive and closed. We're seeing the power and
    appeal of liberty in every single culture. And we're proud once again--
    this Nation is proud--to advance the cause of human rights and human
    freedom.
        I want to thank you all for serving the cause. The cause is just,
    the cause is right, and the cause is good. May God bless.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:34 p.m. in the the East Room at the White
    House. In his remarks, he referred to Karen Hughes, former Counselor to
    the President; Raja Habib Khuzai, member, Iraqi Governing Council;
    Shamim Jawad, wife of Said Tayeb Jawad, Afghanistan's Ambassador to the
    U.S.; Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy of
    Burma; and Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and Minister of Higher
    Education Rawya bint Saud Al Busaidi of Oman. The transcript released by
    the Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of the First
    Lady.