Ambassador
Ambassador's Speech
AMBASSADOR WAYNE’S REMARKS AT THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY TOAST
Ambassador’s Residence
March 10, 2008
Thank you for coming. It is a great pleasure for me to have you all here today to celebrate International Women’s Day.
While many women across the globe are struggling to affirm their right to vote, it is heartening to see so many women in this Hemisphere in leadership positions – starting right here in Argentina with your newly elected President, and with such a large number of other women in the country playing important roles in a wide range of fields. This is certainly reflected in U.S. society on many levels as well, most notably these days, of course, in our current Presidential race.
But at the same time, we must remember that around the world, even in the United States and Argentina, many women are denied the education and opportunity they deserve. They are sold into modern day slavery, as victims of human trafficking. They suffer abuse and discrimination. They are victims of violence and lack access to justice and good health care.
The United States supports the empowerment and access to opportunity and justice of all women.
International Women’s Day commemorates the protest staged on March 8, 1857 by New York seamstresses demanding better pay and working conditions. In 1975, the UN adopted the date to celebrate International Women’s Day and since then it has been celebrated in many countries around the world.
I want to especially thank you for honoring me and the U.S. Embassy by joining us here today so we can celebrate the courage and commitment you and so many of your colleagues have demonstrated to improving the lives and rights of women in Argentina now and for future generations.
I want to especially recognize two of you for your outstanding accomplishments.
First, I am proud to inform you that Supreme Court Justice Elena Highton has been selected by Secretary Condoleezza Rice to participate in the first Roundtable for Women’s Justice in Washington, together with other women judges from around the world.
I’ve asked Justice Highton to say a few words about the Roundtable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Thank you Justice Highton. We wish you a safe journey.
I am also proud to recognize another woman in our midst, a woman of great courage, a woman who has been one of the leaders in the fight against the paco scourge in the villas of Buenos Aires, Mrs. Maria Rosa Gonzalez, the founder of “Mothers Against Paco.”
Working in Villa Oculta, Mrs. Gonzalez, with many other mothers, has risked her life to confront drug traffickers, and has worked tirelessly to educate her neighbors and young people about the devastating effects of paco. Armed with cell phones and the collective will to fight the drug traffickers that prey on their children, the “Mothers of Paco” have brought local, national and international attention to Argentina’s most devastating drug problem.
I am honored to present Mrs. Gonzalez with this certificate recognizing her leadership and courage and commitment against the spread of paco.
We heard that “Mothers Against Paco” plan to open a library to serve the youth in danger in their community. We’d like to help launch your library with this book, along with another box of books that we’ll deliver to your library.
Congratulations Mrs. Gonzalez.
Along with you I would like to mention that the Secretary of State is also honoring Ms. Cynthia Bedlin, Consultant to the Office of International Migration in Paraguay. She is receiving the Secretary of State´s award for International Courage in recognition of her fight against human trafficking at the Triple Border between Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.
I would now like to toast Justice Highton, Mrs. Gonzalez and all the women in Argentina who are working toward a better future. I hope that you know that you will always have a fount of friendship and support in the United States, and, of course, many friends in the U.S. embassy.
