Tran 1

Thuy Tran

Dr. Huffman

ENGL3310.010

October 14, 2018

Analysis of Hilary Clinton’s Speech : Women’s Rights Are Human Rights

“If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human

rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights, once and for

all”(Clinton).”These words spread by First Lady Hilary Clinton opened up opportunities for a

new era when woman would be appreciated and respected. Women have been struggling for

equal rights in societies for numerous years as they are always undervalued as compared to men.

It is time their voices be raised and heard. 13 years ago, in 1995, the United Nations’ Fourth

World Conference on Women was held in Beijing China. Since “it raised consciousness in

international agencies about the importance of a "gender perspective," and it gave feminists all

over the world ammunition for the battles they had yet to fight at home,” according to Joe

Freeman, the conference definitely bring a strong impact. Mrs. Hilary Rodham Clinton, with her

two influential roles as both First Lady of the United States and the honorary chair of the official

United States delegation, attended the conference as one of the featured speakers. Her speech

was entitled, “Women’s Rights are Human Rights”. The subject matter of the speech is to

promote the positions of women in the modern society, especially in prominent aspects such as

economics or politics. Throughout the speech, Clinton presents harsh treatment that women

encounter all over the world and informs us about the unfairness and abuse that partakes

women’s lives. Freedom plays a vital role towards women. Thus, by stating the violation of

women rights is unacceptable, and actions for changes should be immediately and seriously
 Tran 2

taken to give women the right they deserve, Hilary expressed her strong life-long commitment to

women’s rights. Targeting at the whole world, especially governments, officials, politicians, and

other powerful figures, the speech is enough to call for actions and changes. Her efficient use of

rhetorical strategies, including her credibility – ethos, the use of emotionally provoking words -

pathos, and the use of facts and logic led the audience to believe in the notion that women’s

rights are human rights. She closes all sad reality and hope for a brighter future to convey her

message and purpose.

Among rhetorical terms, kairos refers to the time or a rhetorical situation when it is

appropriate to deliver a message. In one of their books “Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with

Readings A Rhetoric with Readings”, John D, et al regards kairos as a vital role that makes an

argument successful with a “right” time (85). At the time of the speech, China – the host country

of the conference, was badly reputed for introducing the one-child policy and other sexual

discrimination policies – which is often seen in this feudatory country where gender roles are

unequal. Despite the controversy over whether this is a duty that a First Lady is supposed to do,

Hilary Clinton did not follow and insisted on giving one of the most important speeches of her

life. As a consequence, China placed some limitations on the conference, such as non-admissions

for officials, politicians, and other powerful figures. For Clinton’s participation, China even “cut

off video at the conference center and blacked out all Chinese media reporting of the speech.”

Therefore, Clinton’s speech was notably remarkable. Words create actions. Not only did she gain

respect from Chinese women but she also won admiration and drew inspiration for many leaders

until this day. One of the most obvious and prompt results of this conferences was a “Platform

for Action,” which showed total consent of the 189 nation participants at the conference, calling

for the “full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural
 Tran 3

life at the national, regional and international levels.” Furthermore, in the present day, over 20

years since the delivery of the speech, women’s roles are now more essential and influential than

ever before.

This speech opens up with a very influential use of diction that creates an ethical appeal

upon the audience. Doug Downs states in his article “Rhetoric: Making Sense of Human

Interaction and Meaning Making” that ethos “refers to proof that rely on community assessment

of a rhetor’s character or reputation” (Downs 146). To begin with, Hilary expressed her gratitude

for specific people who gave her this valuable opportunity to represent women all over the world

to raise their opinions :

Thank you very much, Gertrude Mongella, for your dedicated work that has brought us to

this point, distinguished delegates, and guests. I would like to thank the Secretary General

for inviting me to be part of this important United Nations Fourth World Conference on

Women. This is truly a celebration, a celebration of the contributions women make in

every aspect of life: in the home, on the job, in the community, as mothers, wives, sisters,

daughters, learners, workers, citizens, and leaders.” Then, she states, “Over the past 25

years, I have worked persistently on issues relating to women, children, and families.

Over the past two and a half years, I've had the opportunity to learn more about the

challenges facing women in my own country and around the world. (1)

Clinton tries to emphasize she is an important figure to bring this topic to actions. At the time,

she carried out a number of campaigns and projects that exerted her unlimited passion and

profound influence on the better development of humankind. By demonstrating her knowledge

and expertise in many aspects, she proves to the audience that she is always the leader who hold

responsibilities for crucial social issues associated with women, children and families. What she
 Tran 4

is doing and striving for is her serious commitment to creating equality between human. She later

describes how women confront difficulties of their lives in several countries, such as Indonesia,

Denmark, South Africa, India and Ukraine, where she has been to. Those evidence from her own

personal experience narrated via her tone obviously exemplifies the issue is of great importance.

Additionally, apart from her role as a leader, she is also a woman. Therefore, her perspective and

understanding for her female friends enable the audience to get a better overview of the situation

picture, thereby reinforcing her argument. Appearing in a formal suit, she shows a strong sense

of confidence towards the audience, which contributed to her credibility as the First Lady.

Along with the use of credibility, Hilary Clinton aims for an emotional spirituality by

using emotion-provoking words and phrases. According to Downs, pathos include the emotional

appeals, vivid language and numerous sensory details to arouse the audience’s emotions (Downs

170). Realizing this importance, Hilary establishes a strong connection with her audience by her

use of pathos, facial expressions and body language. First and foremost, she mentions a variety

of chores that women take over “giving birth, raising children, cooking meals, washing clothes,

cleaning houses, planting crops, working on assembly lines, running companies, and running

countries.” She illustrate a gloomy setting when “Women also are dying from diseases that

should have been prevented or treated.” Negative words such as “succumb to malnutrition”,

“denied the right to go to school”, and “forced into prostitution” are also used. All play a vital

role in portraying lively the hardships women endure every day. Clinton deploys pathetical

appeals with a view to integrating empathy into the audience’s hearts. From those evidence

mentioned above, she highlights that discrimination invades in every corner and sector of

women’s lives. Additionally, it also moves the audience to tears when knowing that girls are

deprived of schooling rights by their “own fathers and brothers”. One of the most striking
 Tran 5

techniques is anaphora - “the repetition of beginnings in a sequence of clauses or phrases”

(Longaker and Walker 148), when Hilary Clinton listed eight different scenarios that all start

with “It is a violation of human rights…” Rape, abortion, burning and honor killings are terrible

social crimes that women are experiencing. Those facts once again effectively paint a graphic

and visual picture so that the audience can easily imagine. Various contexts indicate those pose a

threatening impact to women all over the world in different situations. By stating a number of

problems, including “babies are denied the food, or drowned, or suffocated, or their spines are

broken, simply because they are born girls.” or “women and girls are sold into the slavery of

prostitution for human greed -- and the kinds of reasons that are used to justify this practice

should no longer be tolerated.”, Hillary tries to invoke their emotions and provide a raw image of

these events occurring with a view to creating a sense of sympathy for the women among the

audience. After she points out these horrible events, it is time to talk about resolutions and

alternatives to address the problem for a better world for women. By first drawing in the

audience’s attention and evoking sympathy, then later proposing actions to reverse the situation,

it led her audience to recognize that this is an issue that is in dire and urgent need of attention and

change.

Ultimately, logos is an effective method utilized in the speech. Downs argues that logos

means persuasion, and reasoning, facts and statistics are used to support a claim (118). Thus,

Hilary mentions several specific examples and statistics to deploy her argument. First of all, she

points out “the women’s conference in Nairobi ten years ago that the world focused for the first

time on the crisis of domestic violence?”, which plays an essential part in the journey struggling

for women’s rights. Due to this rhetorical question, she is able to involve the audience with

asking themselves and answering it. There stands strong chances and likelihood that women’s
 Tran 6

rights will be recognized and preemptive measures will be taken. In order to appreciate the

values and roles of women in the society, she states clearly : “Women comprise more than half

the world’s population, 70% of the world’s poor, and two-thirds of those who are not taught to

read and write.” By exemplifying those figures and facts, she would like to inform us that

women are an indispensable part of the society, but do not own the rights that they deserve to

have. The combination of facts, together with the use of ethos and pathos contribute to her

success in illustrating the argument. One of the most profound statements is “let it be that human

rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all” (Clinton),

emphasizing that is women are also humans, and it is normal that they enjoy their rights. This is

an effective in bringing her audience to her beliefs and logic to call for support from them.

In conclusion, Hilary Clinton’s efficient use of ethos, pathos and logos succeeded in

approaching the audience and enhancing her argument that women’s rights are human rights. Her

speech is well-known as it emphasizes on the equal rights for women, and Hilary did a great job

in spreading the real situation and calling for immediate actions. With the role as First Lady, she

is given a valuable chance to represent US as well as women in the world to raise their opinions

at an important event with the participation of more than 180 nations, which allows for strong

credibility. By indicating drastic events that were happening, provoking the audience’s emotions

and placing a clear picture in their minds of the tragic that occur around the world, the issue is

even more serious than ever. In addition, facts and figures mentioned plays a key role in

reminding what have been done in the past for women’s rights. Aiming at government officials,

she urges that actions will be inevitable to ensure that women own the rights that are supposed to

be theirs. She balances the three tools of rhetoric, ethos, pathos, and logos, effectively, and is
 Tran 7

able to persuade her audience to strive for women’s rights in the world. 20 years passes, and we

can see things have changed. Women are now powerful and successful than in the past.

Summary

“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” is a speech to strive for women’s rights. Hilary

Clinton presents numerous issues and problems that women confront every day in their lives, and

believe they cannot stand and keep silent any more. It is time to take actions. She, representing

women all over the world, voice their opinions so that they can be heard and helped with

appreciation in this modern society.

 Tran 8

Works Cited

“Beijing '95.” Beijing Women's Conference, www.jofreeman.com/photos/Beijing.html.

Eidenmuller, Michael E. American Rhetoric: Hillary Rodham Clinton -- United Nations 4th

World Conference Speech ("Women's Rights Are Human Rights"),

www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/hillaryclintonbeijingspeech.htm.

Longaker, Mark Garrett, and Jeffrey Walker. Rhetorical Analysis: a Brief Guide for Writers.

Longman, 2011.

“No Shit, Sherlock: Hillary Clinton's Women's Rights Are Human Rights.” The Odyssey Online,

30 Aug. 2017, www.theodysseyonline.com/no-shit-sherlock-hillary-clintons-womens-

rights-are-human-rights.

Ramage, John D, et al. “Chegg.com.” Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings A Rhetoric

with Readings 8th Edition | Rent 9780205648368 | Chegg.com, Longman,

www.chegg.com/textbooks/writing-arguments-a-rhetoric-with-readings-8th-edition-

9780205648368-0205648363.

“'Women's Rights Are Human Rights' - 20 Years Later.” The Daily Caller,

dailycaller.com/2013/12/04/womens-rights-are-human-rights-20-years-later/.