F e b rua ry 1 national secur it y

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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