My three years will have been one small part of what will need to be a continuous battle. And I use the word battle as I read today of a Bill put forward in the USA under the new regime in an attempt to greatly limit access to RU-486. Rights won can be easily lost. Human rights do not exist merely because of their imprint on paper. They exist because we as individuals have fought for their creation, their enshrinement into domestic laws and their enforcement.
Human rights are constantly under attack from erosive forces or just ignorance and arrogance.
I strongly urge you all to continue with your work particularly in this year of state and federal elections, where women have an opportunity through the democratic process to inform politicians of all parties what it is they need to prioritise and progress in order to work towards a better life for women. Some final reflections In conclusion, I'd like to leave you with some thoughts of my own about strategy and the future involvement of NGOs in progressing the rights of women. Always look for the common ground, even amongst those who previously you may not have agreed with. Acknowledge the work of state and federal governments when they do something that is advantageous for women. And be specific about why its advantageous.