Women in the Global Community - US Department of State

Women in the Global Community


Leah Ward Sears, chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court, reviews court documents. (© AP Images)

Women Setting New Records as State Supreme Court Judges

Although it has taken a long time in U.S. history, today women commonly serve on the highest courts in the country. Many of these women overcame great obstacles to achieve their positions. The composition of the American judicial system is "very different than when I joined the court and there were all white men," said Leah Ward Sears, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. "That is not the America I know today." (complete text)

Argentine Success Can Anchor Regional Democracy and Stability

Argentina’s new president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, is sworn in as the country’s first female leader, calling for new government reforms and an acceleration of human rights investigations into abuses carried out during former military leader Jorge Videla’s regime. In Washington, U.S. officials call for Argentina to resume its active role in international organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States and Interpol. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon tells reporters that Argentina’s involvement in global efforts to prevent nuclear proliferation and terrorism and resolve the Middle East conflict is welcome and very important. “[I]n the region, a successful Argentina is an anchor for democracy and a promoter of stability. It can play a very important role in the Andean countries,” Shannon says. (complete text)

State Department Links Violence Against Women, Human Rights

U.S. embassies around the world organized 16 days of activities focused on the problem of violence against women to draw a symbolic link between the International Day Against Violence Against Women -- November 25 -- and International Human Rights Day -- December 10. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in her directive to all U.S. embassies, called for engagement with host country governments, civil society and media. (complete text)

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