Ambassador Perry's Speeches

DCM Speaks at 50/50 on Behalf of Ambassador Perry (17 April 08)

Honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

I am honored to be here this evening to join you in recognizing the achievements of the Fifty-Fifty organization here in Sierra Leone.  Naturally, the cause of women’s rights is very dear to my heart as a woman, and is a key goal for Americans and very much in the fore front today.  In the United States, we have fought for women’s rights for centuries, and we still have a long way to go, but we are proud to be able to help women around the world advance their own causes to make their countries better.  Fifty-Fifty has helped show -- through its hard work and dedication – that Sierra Leonean women are as capable of leadership as their male counterparts, and sometimes are more so.

Last year, the National Democratic Institute honored Fifty-Fifty with an award for exhibiting exceptional promise in creating a greater role for women in political and civic life. The award, named for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Chairperson of NDI’s Board of Directors, demonstrates the NDI’s sustained commitment to promoting the equitable participation of women in politics and government.    

Secretary Albright’s tenure was marked by an unshakable faith in those values. She oversaw the expansion and modernization of NATO, and she was a trailblazer in the effort to keep America engaged in the world, at a time at the end of the Cold War when many wondered whether America’s leadership was still needed at the end of history.

One of her crowning moments came during NATO’s successful campaign to reverse ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. That action put Kosovo on the path to independence, actions that we’ve had the privilege to encourage and promote as Kosovo has now become an independent state.

About three years ago, Secretary Albright was able to return to Kosovo and to speak to the Central Assembly, and she spoke of the effort during her tenure to end the repression there. She said, “Together we pledged that never again in Kosovo would people come with guns in the night; never again would houses and villages be burned; never again would there be terror and mass graves. The time had come to begin a new era in this storied land as part of a new start for the entire region.”

Because of her vision at the time, and because of her toughness at the time, freedom and democracy for that region are on the march -- not without troubles, not without winding roads, but most certainly and most assuredly on the march.

Secretary Albright believes deeply that all people deserve an opportunity to live their lives in dignity and free of fear.  It is therefore fitting that an award to advance the cause of democracy bears her name.  It is also fitting that 50/50 was chosen as the award recipient this year and is further evidence of the importance we place on the important role women must play to ensure their rights are honored and they may participate freely, and without bias in the political life of their country.

The National Democratic Institute, or NDI, as some of you may already know, is almost entirely funded by the United States government through the US Agency for International Development and the National Endowment for Democracy.  Though nominally affiliated with the United States Democratic Party, NDI’s programs are a nonpartisan effort to provide practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions. They work with advocates of democracy in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. 

In Sierra Leone, NDI has made an important contribution by monitoring the national elections and continues to focus efforts to encourage women’s participation in cooperation with Sierra Leonean organizations like Fifty-Fifty.  Specifically, for the upcoming local elections, USAID has provided $1.3 million in a general election support initiative and $1 million for a “Women as Candidates” initiative.  These programs are further evidence of USG's full commitment to both a peaceful democratic nation and furthering women's political participation.  Empowering women through a variety of development and capacity building programs, NDI has made a profound impact on the women of Sierra Leone. 
The United States has been a pioneer of women’s rights around the world for decades, drawing on the growing pains we dealt with in our own history, the massive strides we’ve made in the past few decades, and the realization of how far we still have to go.  Our own government, in the executive, legislative and judicial branches is testament to how far we have come – and we honor those women in our history who helped us achieve what we have so far.

The United States supports the efforts of organizations like NDI because we strongly believe that their goals for women are essential to stability, progress, and the advancing of democracy around the world.  Our involvement in the struggle for women’s rights has led to improvements in the lives of women and their roles in their communities and societies all over the world, including in Sierra Leone.

Here, our Agency for International Development helps fund NDI every year, supporting their operations and their grants to local organizations with funding and technical assistance.  While the donor community has potential to make an impact on local issues, we believe that the best way to support Sierra Leone is to provide Sierra Leoneans the means and the capacity to support themselves.  Working with Fifty-Fifty and other local NGOs, we are able to ensure that our financial contributions are put to use where the women of Sierra Leone know they will make the most profound impact.  You are the only ones who know what you need to move forward.

Your efforts as members of Fifty-Fifty and activists in Sierra Leone have dramatically increased women’s participation in elections from 2002 until the most recent elections.  I know that your work does not cease when the polls close, and that you are actively preparing for the upcoming local elections. I have no doubt that women will play an even more prominent role in those than in the presidential elections. 

In addition to increasing women’s participation in the electoral process, women also have a crucial role to play in maintaining the path of peace that Sierra Leone has struggled to follow in recent years.   Throughout the process of the local elections this summer, it is essential for all the citizens of Sierra Leone to refrain from violence, keeping their political dissent to peaceful expressions and the most powerful expression, the vote.  The Ballot Box is the first step in achieving change.

I know all of you here today will be going out to share what you have learned in this seminar. You are uniquely poised to make a difference, not only for women, but for Sierra Leone.  Relish your role; your daughters, and their daughters again who will enjoy their political participation as a positive effect of your efforts will honor you.

The past year has seen other exciting developments for the women of Sierra Leone.  The three pieces of gender legislation passed in the last year were a landmark development.  In a recent lecture at the Embassy, we discussed how the legislation has mandated significant change. For instance, women who were previously considered by law to be a part of their husbands’ estates now have the legal right to inherit those estates.  What an amazing step forward for women. Many women were strong advocates for the passage of the gender bills and they deserve our thanks for their efforts. 

I would like to extend my congratulations on behalf of Ambassador Perry, who very much regrets her absence tonight and on behalf of  the entire staff of the US Embassy .  Your award was very, very well deserved.  We wish you the best in your continued efforts and look forward to a continued strong, productive relationship with 50/50.

Thank you.