The International Alliance of Women is an international non-governmental feminist organization of more than 40 member associations globally. In consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1947, the organization is primarily focused on the empowerment of women, the promotion of women’s human rights and gender equality worldwide.
The Alliance observes with grave concern that the campaign leading to the recent US elections was, for the most part, characterised by a series of disturbing xenophobic and venomous, offensive rhetoric about women in general –which emanated from the newly-elected US President. This, in effect triggered off feelings of alarm, anxiety and general unease vis-à-vis the future of women’s rights and interests in the United States and more generally in the world.
With elections now over, it is our hope that the US President-Elect’s potently lethal statements are left at the campaign podiums –never again to be revisited. These destructive election proclamations cannot and must not find their way into the policy of governance within the USA and beyond. The President Elect must at this time, endeavor to put all fears and apprehensions at rest. He must now unreservedly and publicly undertake to uphold gender equality in all ramification and to protect and preserve the rights and interests of women, without discrimination or any form of bias.
Furthermore, in the same vein, in conformity with its age-long eminent status as a global custodian of gender equality, we urge that the new US Government continues unhindered its current laudable efforts and constructive negotiations towards the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and its optional protocol.
In consequence, these will no doubt allay all fears ubiquitously, towards the evolution of a better, much-improved world -now and for generations to come.
Adopted November 13, 2016
Joanna Manganara
President
