Taking a Stand for Women's Security

The current administration has made strides for women’s equity since coming to office; from signing into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, to creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, and appointing of many strong women to positions of power, our President and his administration have been an advocates for women and girls world wide and we are seeing the effects. Just yesterday, the House passed legislation that approved the creation of the Office of Global Women’s Issues within the U.S. State Department.

However, in light of the recent killing of Dr. George Tiller, we are reminded of how far we still have to go in order to ensure true security for women both in the US and abroad. It is crucial that we protect the right to safe and accessible health care for all women, particularly those in conflict areas where studies show that funding for women’s health is drastically decreased. Women and doctors should not be intimidated, threatened or harassed for seeking or providing reproductive health care, family planning materials, and birth control.

With our nation currently focusing on the issue of health care in the United States, we must work to ensure that women’s perspectives and concerns are brought to the table both here and abroad. Global women’s health is an issue that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has deemed a priority of the Office of Global Women’s Issues, among other issues including poverty reduction, and freedom from violence. Though many opposition groups are attempting to derail the passage of this legislation, we know that the effects of a woman in good health can have a ripple effect throughout society.