Politics

Hillary On Abortion: ‘Deep-Seated Cultural Codes, Religious Beliefs And Structural Biases Have To Be Changed’

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
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NEW YORK — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton took a feminist tone on Thursday. She told attendees at the sixth annual Women in The World Summit that “deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed” for the sake of giving women access to “reproductive health care and safe childbirth.”

“Far too many women are denied access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth, and laws don’t count for much if they’re not enforced. Rights have to exist in practice — not just on paper,” Clinton said.

WATCH (Excerpt begins at 8:26):

“Laws have to be backed up with resources and political will,” she explained. “And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed. As I have said and as I believe, the advancement of the full participation of women and girls in every aspect of their societies is the great unfinished business of the 21st century and not just for women but for everyone — and not just in far away countries but right here in the United States.”

Clinton also took a shot at Republicans who oppose amnesty legislation, saying, “There are those who offer themselves as leaders who would deport mothers working to give their children a better life, rather than risk the ire of talk radio.”

The event took place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. Media CEO Tina Brown welcomed other women to the stage, including Ashley Judd and Helen Mirren, as well as numerous female political activists and businesswomen.