This week in Africa, Secretary Hillary Clinton discussed women and their struggle to gain equal rights in their societies.  She said,

“Too many women in this country and across Africa and across the world, including in my country, are marginalized, are left behind, are denied the rights that every human being is entitled to…They are often ignored and left out of important decisions in their families and their societies… we must remain committed to the full empowerment of women everywhere.”

Her words made me think of an article I recently read about how Afghan women are playing an increasingly important role in politics in Afghanistan.  In the upcoming nationwide elections, multiple women are running for office, and 38 percent of newly registered voters are women.  According to Vasu Mohan, deputy director for the Europe and Asia program of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), elections represent “the seed of long-term democratic behavior.”   Mohan, whose organization runs projects on democracy in 30 countries, said, “When women are politically involved, they reinforce this behavior because of their influence with the family and in larger society.”

As a woman myself, I definitely feel empowered when I cast my vote or campaign for a cause, especially when I remember that it was less than a century ago when American women were not afforded this right. What do you think about Secretary Clinton’s statement on women and the importance of working towards their full empowerment?  What do you think of women’s role in a democracy?  Are you a woman who is actively involved in your own country?