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- USAID-State
Strategic Plan 2007-2012
- National
Security Strategy of the United States, March 2006
- Policy
Framework for Bilateral Foreign Aid, January 2006 [PDF,
440 KB]
- White Paper:
US Foreign Aid: Meeting the Challenges of the Twenty-first Century,
January 2004 [PDF, 353 KB]
- Fragile
States Strategy, January 2005 [PDF, 305 KB]
- Democracy
and Governance Strategic Framework [PDF, 343 KB]
- Mitigating
the Development Impacts of HIV/AIDS [PDF, 406 KB]
- Foreign Aid in the National
Interest [PDF, 353 KB]
- Nine Principles,
February 2005
- Business
Transformation
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Remarks by Henrietta H. Fore
Administrator, USAID and Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance
Remarks for International Women's Day
Ronald Reagan Building
Friday, March 7, 2008
It is a privilege to welcome the First Lady; Under Secretary Dobriansky; and other distinguished officials and guests. Let me thank Katherine Blakeslee, director of the USAID Office of Women in Development, for organizing this excellent event and bringing us together in celebration of International Women's Day, 2008.
I also offer a warm welcome to participants from around the world attending the third annual conference of the Women's Democracy Network of the International Republican Institute. The United States is proud to support your efforts to foster the growth of civil society and democracy in each of your countries.
Among those who have joined us here today are winners of the International Republican Institute's Jeane Kirkpatrick Award. I wish to congratulate Charm Tong, a Burmese activist, and the Women's League of Burma, represented here by Nang Yain.
Both Charm Tong, as an individual leader, and the Women's League have shown courage and determination in the struggle for human rights, democracy, and an end to violence against women. You represent strong forces of hope for the future of your country.
The Jeane Kirkpatrick Award also was presented to our colleague, Paula Dobriansky, the Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs. To Paula and the honorees from Burma, let me say that each of you carries on the noble tradition of the late Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick: untiring commitment to the cause of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom to choose one's government. Let's offer them a round of applause.
We honor women who have sacrificed their freedom or even their lives to fight the battle for liberty in their countries. Aung San Suu Kyi, remains imprisoned in Burma for efforts to bring democracy to a country ruled by a cruel military junta. Benazir Bhutto braved threats to her life in order to restore democracy to Pakistan, only to lose her life in that struggle. Irina Kozulina, wife of Belarusian political prisoner Alexandr Kozulin, recently passed away from cancer. Despite her grave illness, she never gave up the cause of freedom for her husband, and for Belarus. These are examples of strong, fearless women around the world. There are so many more we never hear about.
Inspired by the work of these role models, I'm very pleased to announce that USAID and the U.S. Department of State are launching the International Women's Empowerment Fund. The Fund will bring together business, government, and philanthropic leaders and resources to support initiatives for women's entrepreneurship, and political and judicial leadership in the Muslim world.
Empowering women has been one of the fundamental missions of U.S. foreign assistance during this Administration. President Bush has made a strong commitment to oppose gender-based violence and promote equal opportunities for women in education, business, and economic and political life.
The President's Initiative for Women's Justice and Empowerment in Africa is working to curb violence against women, protecting those who have been victimized and bringing the perpetrators to justice. USAID's Safe Schools Program, with pilot projects in Ghana and Malawi, is making a path-breaking contribution to the global cause of curbing gender violence in and around schools.
The Safe Schools Program also works to prevent child marriage. Edna, a 14-year-old girl in Malawi, was betrothed by her parents to her cousin. But Edna refused to get married. When Edna's teachers became aware of her problem, they sought the help of the Chief of the village, who has been actively involved in the Safe Schools Program. The Chief counseled Edna's parents about the importance of keeping their daughter in school and about her right to education. After much discussion, Edna's parents agreed to let her return home and continue her education. Edna is now continuing her studies, and through the support of the Safe Schools Program, has gained the confidence to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.
Enhancing education for women produces social benefits ranging from greater economic growth, to longer life expectancy, to improved political processes. We are proud that the Ambassadors' Girls' Scholarship Program which has provided 300,000 scholarships to girl scholars in 40 countries in Africa is part of the President Bush's African Education Initiative.
Our years of experience in reducing poverty through economic growth have taught us that overcoming discrimination against women is essential to the fight against poverty. Countries with pro-growth policies have more women entrepreneurs and more women in the workforce.
USAID is aggressively pursuing reforms to improve the business environment in more than 50 developing countries, making a major impact advancing economic opportunities available to women.
We also train women entrepreneurs in marketing and business planning. In Bangladesh, for example, our training program for entrepreneurs created 5,000 jobs, 80 percent of the positions going to women.
Last month on their visit to Africa, the President and Mrs. Bush met with many women, men and children who benefited from USAID programs. Upon returning to Washington, the President spoke of meeting a group in Ghana "called Global Mamas -- specializes in helping women entrepreneurs find new places to sell their goods. With USAID help," - the President said -- "the company has gone from 7 employees to about 300 employees in five years."
In Benin, Mrs. Bush joined Mrs. Yahi, the First Lady of that country, in meeting girls who benefited from the President's African Education Initiative. Many of these girls are the first in their families to complete primary school. And three of them told Mrs. Bush that they aspire to become the first woman president of Benin. I hope our friends from IRI heard that last point - it sounds like an opportunity for another training program!
We will hear from Mrs. Bush in a few minutes, but first I have the honor to introduce the Honorable Paula Dobriansky. She has served with distinction in this Administration since 2001 and is our Undersecretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs. Paula also has served on the National Security Council staff and in other senior posts in the State Department and U.S. Information Agency. Paula, thank you for being with us today.
Let me now say a few words about our most honored guest. Mrs. Laura Bush's leadership for the empowerment of women deserves lasting recognition. She has been unwavering in support of women worldwide who are working to advance development, democracy, and equality. The First Lady has made five official visits to Africa, where she always has been a messenger of hope. Among many other missions to the developing world, she visited the USAID-supported Camino Seguro program in Guatemala, providing healthy meals and medical care for needy children.
To honor her achievements and commitment to women all around the globe, USAID is establishing a new award named for the First Lady. Every year USAID will present one of our Foreign Service, Civil Service, or Foreign Service National staff members with the Laura W. Bush Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Women's Equality. This award will encourage and honor members of our staff who show leadership through bold and creative actions to advance women's equality and empowerment.
And now, I have the honor of inviting to the podium, the First Lady, Laura Bush.
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