Beaten Down by Misogynists in the 2008 Campaign, Sen. Clinton Speaks Out Against the Stoning of a 13-year-old Somali Rape Victim

I’ve been dismayed this weekend in conversations with several liberal friends and acquaintances who refused to take a moment from their giddy celebration of Obama’s victory to even acknowledge the onslaught of sexism and misogyny endured by first Hillary Clinton and then Sarah Palin in the 2008 presidential campaign.

Most disheartening has been the unrelenting attacks on Clinton and Palin from the Left; I’ve learned to take for granted a certain amount of hatred and fear of women from the Right.

In tolerating such despicable treatment of female candidates for national office, the United States of America has offered a shabby example to the rest of the world.

Be it known that Hillary Clinton has not paused for breath in her international support for women’s rights. Read below Sen. Clinton’s Nov. 7th letter to the UN regarding an unspeakable occurrence in Somalia where a 13-year-old rape victim was recently stoned to death.

November 7, 2008

His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon
Secretary General
The United Nations
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, New York 10017

Dear Mr. Secretary General:

I am deeply disturbed by recent news reports of the stoning death of a 13-year-old Somali girl. The circumstances leading up to this death are particularly shocking. After being brutally raped by 3 men while traveling to visit her grandmother, the girl turned to local authorities for assistance. Instead of receiving protection, she was accused of adultery and publicly executed in a stadium full of bystanders. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has already condemned this death, and I would urge you to ensure that all organizations within the UN system strengthen their efforts to protect girls and women in conflict situations.

The situation in Somalia is perilous. The nation is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, with almost half of the population in need of food assistance. Amnesty International reports that aid and human rights workers are at risk for killings and abduction, limiting their ability to provide aid to the millions in need. Girls and women are at increased risk of sexual assault and violence.

However, we cannot let worsening conditions further jeopardize children, particularly those who seek protection from authorities after they themselves have been attacked. The tragic death of this girl cannot be left unchallenged; those that perpetrated such a crime must know that the world has condemned their actions. I hope that the United Nations will work with countries around the world to protect the rights of girls and women and ensure their safety in conflict situations.

Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton