Advance Equality
American values are reflective of the universal values we champion all around the world—including the
freedoms of speech, worship, and peaceful assembly; the ability to choose leaders democratically; and
the right to due process and equal administration of justice. We will be a champion for communities that
are too frequently vulnerable to violence, abuse, and neglect—such as ethnic and religious minorities;
people with disabilities; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals; displaced persons;
and migrant workers.
Recognizing that no society will succeed if it does not draw on the potential of all its people, we are
pressing for the political and economic participation of women and girls—who are too often denied
their inalienable rights and face substantial barriers to opportunity in too many places. Our efforts
include helping girls everywhere get the education they need to participate fully in the economy and
realize their potential. We are focused on reducing the scourge of violence against women around the
globe by providing support for affected populations and enhancing efforts to improve judicial systems
so perpetrators are held accountable.
Support Emerging Democracies
The United States will concentrate attention and resources to help countries consolidate their gains and
move toward more democratic and representative systems of governance. Our focus is on supporting
countries that are moving in the right direction—whether it is the peaceful transitions of power we
see in sub-Saharan Africa; the movement toward constitutional democracy in Tunisia; or the opening
taking place in Burma. In each instance, we are creating incentives for positive reform and disincentives
for backsliding.
The road from demanding rights in the square to building institutions that guarantee them is long
and hard. In the last quarter century, parts of Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, and East Asia have
consolidated transitions to democracy, but not without setbacks. The popular uprisings that began in
the Arab world took place in a region with weaker democratic traditions, powerful authoritarian elites,
sectarian tensions, and active violent extremist elements, so it is not surprising setbacks have thus far
outnumbered triumphs. Yet, change is inevitable in the Middle East and North Africa, as it is in all places
where the illusion of stability is artificially maintained by silencing dissent.
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