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Welcome to "Ask the White House" -- an online interactive forum where you can submit questions to Administration officials and friends of the White House. Visit the "Ask the White House" archives to read other discussions with White House officials.
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March 9, 2004
Elaine Chao Jacco, from Amsterdam, Netherlands writes: Yours Truly, Jacco
Elaine Chao In addition, the U.S. government has initiated a wide range of programs to meet the healthcare, education and vocational training needs of Iraqi women. Deep, lasting change must come from within and I was very encouraged by the determination of the Iraqi women I met with during my recent visit.
The US government has initiated a wide range of programs to meet the health care, education and vocational training needs of Iraqi women. Deep lasting change must come from within and I was very encouraged by the determination of the Iraqi women I met during my recent visit.
Waris, from Schenectady ,New York
writes: Elaine Chao Samuel, from Katz writes: Elaine Chao Kenny, from Memphis, TN writes:
Elaine Chao In addition, during my recent visit I learned of and witnessed many acts of personal kindness by our men and women in uniform and the thousands of volunters who are in Iraq helping to rebuild that country. It made me proud to be an American and affirmed my belief that America is unsurpassed in its generosity and compassion.
Patrick, from Highland, California writes: Elaine Chao In addition, while the constitution says that Islam is the religion of Iraq, it guarantees freedom of religion and says that no laws shall be enacted that contradict univerally recognized human rights. The articles of the itnerim constitution regarding women are a step in the right direction and show, as Ambassador Bremer said yesterday, that Iraq is headed in the right direction and that women are helping lead the way.
Virginia, from Portland, Oregon writes: Elaine Chao They love their work, have gotten tremendous positive response from the Iraqi women in Hilla, and have extended their tours of duty because they believe so strongly in these projects. During my visit to the Hilla Women's Center, I visited the Internet Cafe where many Iraqi women of all ages were learning how to navigate the worldwide web. They were so eager to remain in contact that I gave them the URL of the Labor Department and set up a special email address where they coudl correspond with me. In addition, this Adminsitration brought 3 Iraqi women officials working at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to the United States last year and they were delighted to meet with their American counterparts and learn about how the American government works. The Iraqi women I met were hungry for democracy and for support from women around the world.
Craig, from Ogdensburg, NY writes: Elaine Chao Jamie, from Washington DC
writes: Elaine Chao During my recent visit to Iraq, I met with many women officials in the new government who are hard working, dedicated and determined. They were an inspiration. While many challenges remain regarding women's rights in Iraq, much progress has been made. The new interim constitution guarantees women the right to vote and the right to no less than 25% of the seats in the national Assembly. Remember that deep, lasting change must come from within. It took many years for American women to win their full political rights and we cannot expect Iraq to transform itself overnight. But I am very encouraged by the recent progress-- this Administration will continue to do everything possible to support the aspirations of Iraqi women for a strong voice in their country's future.
Dave, from Massachusetts writes: Elaine Chao Perhaps the best indication of this was the report of an Iraqi woman who said that during a women's conference in Amman, Jordan held on December 13, 2003, the capture of Saddam Hussein was greeted with joyful relief.
"Almost all broke into tears and sobs that the man who had managed to reach into each individual's personal life and rip it apart by killing their husbands, sons and fathers-- raping and maining their women-- was brought to justice, she said." Morgan, from Alexandria, VA
writes: Sincerely, Morgan(8) Browne Academy Elaine Chao
I also visited Hilla, 90 miles to the south of Baghdad, which is near the ancient city of Babylon. We flew over hundreds of acres of irrigated small farmls-- green for the first time in many years because the Combined Provisional Authority has filled the irrigation canals once again with water. Many people waved to us as we flew by in helicopters. Kelly, from Long Island, New York
writes: Elaine Chao Many women have come forward since the war to help in the rebuilding of their country. I am personally acquainted with 3 of them who are helping to rebuild the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
This Administration is building women rights and democracy centers all over Iraq, rebuilding women's dormitories so they can go to school and supporting Iraqi women in their determintion to secure their fundamental human rights. Hernst, from Silver Spring, MD
writes: Elaine Chao
"Almost all broke into tears and sobs that the man who had managed to reach into each individual's personal life and rip it apart by killing their husbands, sons and fathers-- and raping and maiming their women-- was brought to justice." Jeff, from Philadelphia writes: Elaine Chao Men and women walked freely on the street with their children, going to school, going to work, etc. The rebuilding of Iraq is proceeding and it will create many job opportunities for Iraqis.
The U.S. Department of Labor has provided $5 million to help rebuild the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and it has already registered 300,000 Iraqis who are looking for work and found employment for 25,000 Iraqis. Lulie, from Norman, OK
writes: Elaine Chao
Shi'ites, as you may know, are characterized as conservative Muslims, and these women told me that they believe their religion is not a barrier to exercising their political rights. Julie, from Boardman, Oregon
writes: Elaine Chao The new interim constitution, which was signed yesterday by all members of the Iraqi Governing Council, guarantees women the right to vote and that no fewer than 25 percent of the members of the new national assembly shall be women. In addition, it states that no laws shall be passed that contradict universally recognized human rights.
The comments of the President of the Interim Governing Council and others indicate that Iraq is moving in the right direction and that women are helping to lead the way.
Janet, from Edmonton, Canada
writes: Janet Elaine Chao There will be many challenges along the way, but am encouraged that the interim constitution signed yesterday guarantees women the right to vote and a minimum of 25% of the seats in the new National Assembly. There are many Iraqi women with advanced education. In fact, I met with 3 of them-- all offcials of the interim Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs-- last year and again during my recent visit. This Administration has established a $15 million grant program to build partnerships between U.S. and Iraqi universities that Iraqi women will have access to. And this Administration has also built women's dorms at the University of Bbabylon so female students could return to classes there in the new school year. I am committed to continuing to work with Iraqi women to help them reach their goals and have set up an email address for them to correspond with me personally.
rob, from brussels writes: Elaine Chao The commitment of the United States to women's rights in Iraq is unshakeable-- that's why this Administration is building 18 women's rights and democracy centers all over Iraq. Jonathan, from New York
writes: Elaine Chao
Elaine Chao |
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