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Speeches and Remarks

Op-Ed on International Women's Day: Yes, Women Can (and Should)! by Ambassador Lisa Kubiske

March 8, 2012

"If women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish.  If women are free from violence, their families will flourish.  If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in society, their families will flourish.  And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish."  These words by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton remind us why we celebrate International Women's Day.

Some Hondurans have been able to break the mold and make important contributions to this country. Designada, Maria Antonieta Guillén de Bogran; COHEP president Aline Flores, and UNAH rector Julieta Castellanos are just some of the famous names in the public and private sector.
There are also heroic women whose names and faces do not appear on television or in newspapers. They put in long hours of work to provide the basic necessities for their families so their children will have a brighter future. These women are the backbone of families and societies and they deserve our support.
Secretary Clinton calls what we are going through now "the Participation Age." This is a time where every individual, regardless of gender, can be a contributing member of society.
Women in Honduras have formed organizations to increase participation in the growth of Honduran society.
In the non-profit organization Vital Voices, successful Honduran businesswomen serve as mentors to women who want to start businesses.   The Honduras chapter launched in August last year includes First Lady Dona Rosa Elena as a program sponsor.
With the help from U.S. development money, women in the Lenca community in Intibuca formed a collective to grow and sell flowers. As a result of these efforts their income in the area rose 65 percent.
The result is that these women are inspiring and demonstrate that everyone can help Honduras grow.
And yet, despite this progress, the truth is that many women in Honduras still face barriers to reach their full potential.   Too many never get to finish school and many are told they can only do what their husbands allow.
On International Women's Day, we renew the call for a commitment for women’s equality in opportunities for civil rights, education and economic growth. It is difficult for a society to move ahead if it leaves half of its people behind. Investing in the future of girls and women means progress, political stability, and greater prosperity for everyone.
So, today as we honor the women who work in their homes, their fields, their shops and their offices, let us renew our resolve to work for the cause of equality each and every day of the year.

Some Hondurans have been able to break the mold and make important contributions to this country.  Designada, Maria Antonieta Guillén de Bogran; COHEP president Aline Flores, and UNAH rector Julieta Castellanos are just some of the famous names in the public and private sector.

There are also heroic women whose names and faces do not appear on television or in newspapers.  They put in long hours of work to provide the basic necessities for their families so their children will have a brighter future.  These women are the backbone of families and societies and they deserve our support.

Secretary Clinton calls what we are going through now "the Participation Age."  This is a time where every individual, regardless of gender, can be a contributing member of society.

Women in Honduras have formed organizations to increase participation in the growth of Honduran society.

In the non-profit organization Vital Voices, successful Honduran businesswomen serve as mentors to women who want to start businesses.  The Honduras chapter launched in August last year includes First Lady Doña Rosa Elena as a program sponsor.

With the help from U.S. development money, women in the Lenca community in Intibuca formed a collective to grow and sell flowers.  As a result of these efforts their income in the area rose 65 percent.

The result is that these women are inspiring and demonstrate that everyone can help Honduras grow.

And yet, despite this progress, the truth is that many women in Honduras still face barriers to reach their full potential.  Too many never get to finish school and many are told they can only do what their husbands allow.

On International Women's Day, we renew the call for a commitment for women’s equality in opportunities for civil rights, education and economic growth.  It is difficult for a society to move ahead if it leaves half of its people behind.  Investing in the future of girls and women means progress, political stability, and greater prosperity for everyone.

So, today as we honor the women who work in their homes, their fields, their shops and their offices, let us renew our resolve to work for the cause of equality each and every day of the year.