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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ГРУДЕНЬ 201 2 WWW. UNWLA.ORG 19 empowered to transform common interests into common actions that serve the common good.” A healthy democracy depends on a healthy civil s o- ciety. It depends on each and every one of you. And I hope you will seize the opportunity to do all that you can in the months and years ahead. Secondly, I hope you will work to advance women’s equality. The status of women in Ukraine and around the world is not only a matter of morality and justice, but it is an economic, social, and political imperative. Until women around the world are accorded their full rights and afforded opportunities to participa te fully in the economic and political life of their countries, progress and prosperity here and ev e- rywhere else will have its own glass ceiling. The evidence is irrefutable. When women are free to develop their talents and fulfill their God - given poten tials, all of society benefits. A nation’s progress depends on the progress of women as well. A democracy without the participation of women is a contradiction in terms. When wo m- en’s participation in elective office at every level – local, oblast, nat ional – is restricted, we are shor t- changing not only them, but all of society is d e- prived of their talents, experiences, and perspe c- tives that are so important to good government and sound public policy, which affects everyone. It is disappointing that on ly 13% of the candidates in the parliamentary elections from major parties were women. In Kyiv, the other night, I met with three female parliamentarians from three different pa r- ties. They and others have formed a parliament a- ry women’s caucus to focus o n key issues that would likely not otherwise be addressed. And just this morning, here in Lviv, I met with the Gove r- nor and he told me that he had appointed women to head administrative districts, including in a mining region. This is progress. Further, it is discriminatory and dispiri t- ing when political leaders make statements about women that are demeaning and disrespectful. It is also the case that a vibrant economy depends on the full contribution of women. When they start and grow businesses and partic i- pate in the workplace, they not only grow income for themselves and their families, but grow their country’s economy and create jobs. Today, there is a mountain of data and research that correlates positively women’s economic participation with a c ountry’s prosperity and economic competitiv e- ness. According to the World Bank, gender equality is smart economics. I just came from Warsaw where my government is currently hos t- ing a conference in support of women entrepr e- neurs from across the region, inc luding Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, and Poland because we reco g- nize the critical importance of advancing women’s entrepreneurship to the prosperity of all cou n- tries. Ukraine confronts severe economic cha l- lenges and more should be done to encourage and suppo rt women’s economic participation in the workplace and in starting and growing busines s- es. When human trafficking and exploitation are prevented, when women’s rights are pr o- tected, nations are more stable and secure. V i- olence against women should never be considered simply a private matter or cultural. It is criminal and perpetrators should be prosecuted. The position that I hold in my government is unprecedented for our country. President O b- ama and Secretary Clinton created this position to reflect and reinforce the importance of women’s issues in U.S. foreign policy. Our major econo m- ic, security, and environmental issues cannot be tackled or solved without the participation of women at every level of society. Women’s issues should concern everyon e and I hope they will be a concern for all of you. It is a simple fact that no country can flourish if it leaves half its population behind. It’s been said, “Some people see things as they are, wring their hands, despair, and ask: why is this happenin g?” Others see things as they could be, like the opportunities Bishop Boris spoke about, and they say, “Why not?” You are the not so ordinary people who will do extraordinary things to make a difference for your country. And the U.S. remains commi t- ted to assisting Ukraine, as it has for the past 20 years on its path to strengthening its democracy. We are with you on this journey. You have been and must continue to be the moral force that bends the arc of history to moral justice. To echo the words o f your national anthem, “your persistence and sincere toils will be rewarded and as a result, freedom’s song will r e- sound throughout Ukraine.” “ Glory to Ukraine .” ( spoken in Ukrainian ) We wish you all the best and Godspeed. Courtesy of US Embassy Information Service Melanne Verveer, United States Ambassador - at - Large for Global Women's Issues, is a member - at - large of the UNWLA. In 1996, she attended and spoke at the 24th UNWLA Convention.
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