This is a big plus for American interests. When we all share a belief that advancing the status of women is both right and smart, we are more likely to find common ground on issues much broader than traditional women's rights. Moreover, because those women ministers and I have promised to talk straight and to take each other's phone calls, we are better able to improve the prospects of women, men and whole societies. At home and around the world, we know from experience that when women have the knowledge and power to make their own choices, they and their families are more able to break the chains of poverty. Birth rates stabilize.
Environmental awareness increases.
The spread of sexually transmitted disease slows. And socially constructive values are more likely to be passed on to the young. These are priceless and lasting gifts to the future. That is why our overseas aid programs include many projects that expand the ability of women to participate economically and politically, to be full partners in running their societies and building democracy, to gain access to education and health care, and to protect themselves against violence and disease. That is why we support international family planning programs so vigorously, because we believe that women have a right to control their own bodies and because we want to reduce the demand for abortions and make it more likely that when children are born, they survive and thrive.