March 8, 2012, I find myself in Washington, D.C. Today I had the opportunity to see, hear and meet women who change the world up close. I am among the 700 guests who will participate in the “2012 Internasjonal Women of Curage Award Ceremony“. Before me sits the ten winners. Women who risk their lives every day to create a better world for girls and women. With them is the U.S. first lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and two Nobel Prize winners, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman.
They fight for women and girls’ rights. They saw corruption, violence, injustice, poverty and discrimination, and they decided to do something about it. They use their voice and risking their lives to create the reality that can ensure girls and women equal life, equal rights, says a fervently Michelle Obama in his speech.
M. Obama begins her speech to pay tribute to women and a special tribute also goes to Hillary Clinton for her fierce commitment to women’s rights and feminism.
These strong women have had many different journeys, tough travel to reach this goal. We hear their stories and everyone in the audience sit and shed tears. Joy, pride, sorrow and anger, all those feelings take a trip to our hearts.
You are not alone!
When we hear Hillary Clinton talk about Jineth Bedoya Lima from Colombia, which was prone to gang rape because she was a journalist who wrote about weapons smuggling, we know the feelings of powerlessness and fear of death she must have felt in the hours. After the assaults, said the rapists to her, «this is a warning and a message to the press in Colombia.» Since that day, Jineth Bedoya Lima worked even harder to bring up issues that affect women, and she demanded justice, not only for themselves but for all women who are victims of violence and abuse. She is also an active participant in the campaign «Rape and Other Violence: Take my body out of the War.» As I listen I think of women who are victims of violence, maltreatment and abuse in Norway. Yes, this concerns us also.
Not only fight for women’s rights, but for everybody’s rights!
Peace prizewinner, Gbowee says: “No woman should sit down and allow a man to speak about her reproductive rights”. “Over time the woman’s movement of this world has mellowed. Our issues and our conversation have become issues of men. I get angry when I think about it.”
Then she turns to M. Obama and H. Clinton and says, let us honor them, but do not let pride be the only recognition. They need support, policy and political changes in order to succeed in their work. And we can do something about it. Then Tawakkol takes over. She has a clear message to all of us, you must be on the front line and fight. But, do not fight for just women’s rights, but for everyone’s rights. Sending a message to our sisters in Syria who are fighting a bloody battle.
Never give up your dream!
Girls in seventh grade from one of the schools in Washington were invited to this ceremony. «We invite girls, the future leaders of this ceremony because we want them to be inspired and meet role models. I want all girls to see, meet these women who have followed their inner voice, their dream, despite the attempted murder and violence. The road can be difficult, but never give up your dream, says H. Clinton.
M. Obama and H. Clinton invite twelve, thirteen years old girls to various meetings, conferences and ceremonies. They meet women leaders in business, politics, organizations and public sector. The goal is to let the girls meet role models so that they dear to dream of a better life.
An hour near these women has eternal traces in me. The desire to make a difference for women and girls in Norway has been enhanced.