THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF MONGOLIA, PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

www.president.mn

2012-07-09

Mongolia is committed to Human Rights, Equal Application of Law, Open and Inclusive Society, which are the Cornerstones of Democracy

President Elbegdorj, along with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton participated in the International Women’s Leadership Forum on July 9 and addressed this respectful audience.

“I welcome you and wish you a most enjoyable stay in Mongolia.

Mongolia highly values your contributions to the cause of global peace, freedom and women’s rights. We are all very happy that the Forum has discussed many important issues and is endorsing an action program with concrete objectives and targets.
Mongolia, our State and Government shall spare no efforts to actively implement this Action Program. We will actively participate in translating the Program into reality not only in Mongolia, but also around the globe. For Mongolia is charing the Community of Democracies.
Mongolia honors and is firmly committed to human rights, equal application of law for all and an open and inclusive society, which are the fundamental principles of democracy. Women’s issue is nota cultural issue. Not it is an issue specific to any particular country. Women’s issue is a human rights issue. It is an issue of justice; an issue related to civic participation. A society with women’s participation is stable, humane and democratic.
Women see our society in its entirety. Women are able to see not only those with power, with wealth, but also see those in needs, the children and elderly. Because they can see the society and social issues in their full spectrum, we must support our women.
On the other hand, women have a deep sense of duty and responsibility. I think women have a greater ability to share with the rights, with the common wealth they are delegated with. I am, therefore, convinced that our women, who have been managing their home affairs well, will be fully capable to manage state affairs.
We have recently held our Parliamentary election, on June 28. We have deployed a full set of innovative equipment. People do fraud. I wouldn’t believe it if machines do frauds. Hence, I genuinely believe that the newly elected membership of the State Great Khural is a projection of the will and desires of our people. People’s choice is proven by the election results: indeed, if in the previous Parliament we had merely 3 women, now we have 9 women-Parliamentarians, who have recently sworn in to service.
I clearly remember the visit of the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Mongolia when she was the US First Lady. I wish to emphasize that that visit profoundly inspired and encouraged Mongolian women and greatly contributed to consolidating democracy and further deepening our bilateral relations. Here I wish to quote what Secretary Clinton wrote in her book:”Mongolia should be held as an example for any one doubting democracy’s ability to take root in unlikely places. Let them come to Mongolia”.
I wish to repeat these words – those who doubt in women’s equality, in women’s capabilities, do come to Mongolia.
One day, I hope, I will shake hands with Mongolia’s First Woman President. I believe such a day will come.
I thank you all very much.