Скачать или смотреть USA: WASHINGTON: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY MARKED

(12 Mar 1998) English/Nat

The Clinton administration marked International Women's Day on Wednesday with the announcement of a multi-million (m) dollar commitment to fighting violence against women.

President Clinton also took the opportunity to urge the U-S Senate to ratify a treaty on women's rights signed by 161 other nations in 1979.

The U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan, in Washington for talks on Iraq, also made a speech championing the rights of women, at a ceremony led by the U-S First Lady Hillary Clinton.

Madeleine Albright, Janet Reno and other prominent American women also participated in the event.

Several of President Clinton's right-hand women - including First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright - joined him in honouring women around the world at a gala evening on Wednesday.

The event marked International Women's Day, and Hillary Clinton reminded the audience of her commitment to fight discrimination against women.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and right. All human beings, not just men. Not just those with particular skin colours or religions. And on International Women's Day, we want to commit ourselves to expanding the circle of human dignity to encompass all human beings, men and women, boys and girls."
SUPER CAPTION: Hillary Rodham Clinton, US First Lady

During the evening, several new government initiatives to fight violence against women around the world were announced.

One such initiative was an increase in funding for grass-roots organisations that support women in Afghanistan, offering them training and technical assistance to improve their skills.

Madeleine Albright told her audience that with the help of the United States, the people of Afghanistan would learn to treat their women as people.

She said that the U-S public had a duty to fight discrimination and abuse against women.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Today, around the world, appalling abuses are being committed against women. These include domestic violence, dowry murders, mutilation and the forcing of young girls into prostitution. Some say all this is cultural and there is nothing we can do about it. I say it is criminal, and we each have a responsibility to stop it."
SUPER CAPTION: Madeleine Albright, US Secretary of State

Albright also praised United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan for his work on women's' issues.

Annan followed by calling on the international community to combat the oppression of women.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We owe it to women everywhere to make it clear that violence against women is not acceptable in any culture. That women's rights are not something to be given or taken away by government like a subsidy. That the oppression of women from discrimination to death is the oppression of humanity."
SUPER CAPTION: Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General

President Clinton wrapped up the event, announcing further steps the U-S Government is taking to combat discrimination against women, including a Justice Department programme to help law enforcement officials combat the problem.

He also announced that the government is to commit an additional 10 (m) million U-S dollars in the financial years 19-98 and 19-99 to tackle violence against women which, he said, constitutes a widespread violation of human rights around the world.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, US President

Clinton also said he would urge the Senate to ratify a two-decade-old treaty on women's rights.



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