It is our goal to institutionalize as much change as possible. As we proceed with this work of implementation, the Council's members, all of whom are high level representatives of all government agencies and many of whom were delegates to Beijing, are overseeing implementation for their individual agencies. Fortunately we are not starting from ground zero. In many respects our laws and practices already meet the standards set forth in the Platform for Action. But failings, shortcomings and discrimination persist.
Poverty is a reality for too many.
Violence against women continues at high levels. Life can and should be better for women in our country, especially those women facing additional forms of discrimination beyond those that all women share. The U.S. government has a firm policy of non-discrimination. And we must be able to offer our girls a future where equality, opportunity and security enable them to be their best. As we now work to implement the Platform, we continue to look to women in non-governmental organizations to help us define the problems and find solutions and to hold their government accountable.