Code words

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Aug 27, 2004

Try to guess: Who's the speaker, and what's the audience? (Hint: the speech was vigorously applauded.)

We need to be aware that a certain threat to women’s rights is also posed by the resurgence, particularly in the United States, of Christian fundamentalism, and the alliance of countries influenced by fundamentalist thinking evident at recent world conferences.

Hillary Clinton speaking to a Democratic fundraiser? No. Read on.

After some hesitation I accepted the invitation in order to bring home the threat posed to women’s health and reproductive rights.

Ah, "reproductive rights;" we all know what that means. This must be Kate Michelperson, at a NARAL rally. Sorry, wrong again.

To combat the resurgence of fundamentalisms, I believe it is necessary for faith adherents to place the empowerment of women at the centre of their own strategic thinking. Women must be enabled to participate fully and equally in decision making within the faiths themselves..

Hmm. Obviously a feminist, talking to a feminist audience. Maybe Helen Reddy, at the Women's Ordination Conference? Close, but still not quite right.

The speaker is Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner.

Oh, I remember her! She's the one who went out of her way to "dis" the Pope during a private audience. That figures. But what was the audience?

The leaders of women's religious orders in the US.