AMBASSADOR

SPEECHES

Address at the Creation of the Network of Ivoirian Women Journalists (07/15/06)

Ministers,

Ambassadors,

Members of the Organizing Committee of REFJCI,

Distinguished guests,

Journalists,

As journalists you know well that the shortest speeches are the best speeches.  As this is your day I do not want to take but a moment to congratulate you and encourage your network in its goal of bringing together Ivoirian women to work to advance the role of women in your profession and the representation of women in the media.  The Embassy is proud to host this assembly and to support your noble organization.

It was only four months ago, during Women’s History Month that the lack of an association of women journalists was brought into relief.  Since then you, the members of the organizing committee have worked tirelessly to address this need.  While our Embassy has provided the space and the resources, you have brought the enthusiasm and the vision to make this goal a reality.  Future generations of women journalists will look back and thank you for what you have accomplished for them here today.

Thanks to your organization I believe that in the coming years there will be more women in decision-making positions in the media.  There they will be able to influence on content, policies, and access, that today are too often dominated by men. This under-representation of women at the decision-making levels in the media is both a symptom and a cause of the inadequate attention give to issues important to women in the media coverage today, such as HIV/AIDS and genital mutilation.

The United States is committed to advancing the role of rights of women throughout the world. The United States is at the forefront of advocating for their causes around the world, this program being just one example.  We have helped women from Afghanistan to Liberia become full participants in their societies, particularly in the media through various initiatives and programs that help increase women's participation and development.  In Cote d’Ivoire we helped to create Cellule des Femmes Journalists Contre le SIDA and regularly organize programs for women and women journalists.

Because the advancement of women is a key priority our support for your organization will continue to be strong and unyielding.  Together we can create an environment, like in the United States, where women now occupy important positions from anchoring national news broadcasts to leading media organizations. 

Thank you and good luck.

Before I conclude I would like to share with you a message I received this morning.  Your organization has drawn attention at high levels in the American government.  The United States Government’s highest ranking official for Africa, Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer asked me to transmit to you this statement:

“I applaud your initiative to advance the role of women journalists in Cote d’Ivoire.  The lack of representation of women in African media has long been an impediment to improving the state of women throughout the continent.  I sincerely hope that the members of this new organization embrace the opportunity to change this reality and be role models that a new generation of women can emulate."