In her opening address, Kavita stressed the importance of the global community. On the one hand, globalization keeps most of the world impoverished. Poverty is perhaps the greatest barrier to realizing human rights. On the other hand, globalization can be harnessed as a force for protest and positive change. The international treaties and documents by the United Nations provide leverage for groups to push for more decent standards in labor rights, human rights, and the environment.
Women can use human rights legislation to improve their status in society.
Another outstanding speaker was Linda Tarr-Whelan, the US Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Linda asked everyone to remember the Human Rights charter which spoke to the right of inherent dignity of all human beings regardless of gender. She cited three themes that arose from the 1995 UN Women's Conference. First, governments should be held accountable for upholding rights. We must work to create institutional mechanisms that ensure the advancement of women at all levels of government.