Today, International Women’s Day, is a day when we honor the committed individuals who are leading the charge for gender equality across the globe. It is also a day that reminds us that all of us, women and men, have a responsibility to ending the inequality women still face, here in Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as in my country, the United States.
Empowering women and girls is a key priority of United States’ foreign policy. For us, the facts are clear and simple. Numerous studies have shown that women-run small- and medium-size businesses accelerate countries’ economic growth. Yet women still face immense challenges in starting their own business and accessing the financing to make their business grow. Statistics show that when women take more leadership positions, governments become more responsive, compromise is reached more easily, and the level of corruption drops. And yet just 20 percent of parliamentarians and 10 percent of heads of state are women. We also know that far too many women and girls still fall victim to domestic violence. And yet too many of the abusers walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist.
This is why the United States believes gender equality is critical to our shared goals of prosperity, stability, and peace, and why supporting full rights for women is one of our key policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, more women leaders are coming together to demand an equal voice in Bosnia’s society, and we are proud to support them in their fight. The Federation’s caucus of women parliamentarians is proof that politicians can come together across party lines to work in the interest of all citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or politics. Young women leaders are gaining crucial leadership skills and demanding a greater role within their parties – bringing new ideas and approaches to politics. Women entrepreneurs are publicizing the important contribution of women to the economy and bringing new innovative ideas to the market place – and most importantly, creating new jobs. Women judges are fighting to eliminate corruption, to punish crime, and to end inequality in the work place. Women police officers are working with NGOs to better recognize and assist victims of domestic violence, which benefits not just women, but their families, and the entire society.
We believe whole-heartedly that as women progress, everyone in society benefits, including men and boys. We know that gender equality is a long-term goal, one that will require commitment and energy from all of us. But we cannot afford to give up — tapping into the limitless potential of women is not only the right policy, it is a smart policy.