Ambassador Speeches

Remarks by Ambassador Martinez at The Women's History Month Program

Kitwe
March 15, 2006

Reverend Canon Charley Thomas, Director, and the staff of Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation

Invited guests from local NGOs: CHEP, CINDI, YWCA, Amnesty International, the NGOCC, and Girl Guild Association

Ladies and gentlemen


I’m very pleased to welcome you to the American Corner at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation today. This is my first visit to the Copperbelt Province and I’ve been looking forward to visiting this facility. Thank you to Fr. Charley and the staff here for the warm welcome you have shown me.

Just under a year ago in June 2005, the Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy partnered with Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation to create this beautiful American Corner for the benefit of the people of the Copperbelt. The goal of the American Corner has always been more than just housing books; it is also a meeting place where users can learn more about American society and culture and hold lively discussions. I am happy that over the past year, the Library and Corner staff, along with American Embassy personnel, have arranged a number of informative programs here, ranging from educational advising to hearing about life in the U. S. from an American Peace Corps Volunteer.

Today, we have invited all of you here for a program in honor of Women’s History Month 2006. Women’s rights are human rights and we focus on these every day of the year, but each March, the United States highlights women’s issues. Today, we’re going to show a video that focuses on human rights abuses – rape and other violence -- suffered by women around the world today. Not only does this video tell the story of individual women’s lives, but it also details the key efforts of international human rights organizations to stop violence against women. All of you are involved in human rights and women’s rights in Zambia and we hope this film will be informative for you.

The film is anchored by Charlayne Hunter Gault, a renowned American reporter who was posted in Johannesburg for many years and knows Africa well. It also features an interview with Alice Walker, the renowned African American writer. After the program, we look forward to discussion when everyone can have a chance to share comments and opinions.

Thank you again to all of you for visiting the American Corner and for your interest in women’s rights in the world today.