No lasting progress in world without women's equality, says Clinton

As the 54th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) came to a close here Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton declared that "women's progress is human progress."

"The world cannot make lasting progress if women and girls are denied their rights and left behind," Clinton said in her remarks to the CSW here at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Over the last two weeks, more than 2,000 representatives from women's groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and UN officials gathered here to assess progress made since the adoption of the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995 at the 54th Commission on the CSW.

Clinton, paying special tribute to the 15th Anniversary of the UN World Conference on Women in Beijing, urged the global community to work for social changes necessary towards women's equality.

"We must declare with one voice, which is women's progress is human's progress, human's progress is women's progress once and for all," Clinton said.

Recognizing a wide-range of notable achievements for women from economic contributions to strong peacemaking, Clinton said that the world has made real gains towards meeting the goals set in Beijing.

"When women have human rights, nations are peaceful and secure," Clinton said. "We must measure our progress in how we are able to improve the condition on women's lives."

Clinton urged the global community to "renew our commitment," as she said intensified efforts are needed to continue the implementation of the 1995 platform of action.

Also in attendance at the session was former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who was the first U.S. woman to head the State Department, and New York Congresswoman Carolyn Malone.

Source:Xinhua