We asked. World leaders answered at CGI.

An impressive "who's who" of heads of state, government and business leaders, scholars and directors of nonprofits (including IRC president George Rupp) gathered this week in New York at the invitation of former President Bill Clinton to discuss solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.

We had the opportunity to ask President Clinton and other leaders at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) annual meeting how they would address one particularly urgent global problem: violence against women.

On the eve of the meeting, President Clinton sat down for an interview with YouTube in which he answered a selection of questions that were submitted and voted upon by the public.  In her top-voted video question (above), the IRC’s Lucy Carrigan asked:

"Since empowering women is a priority of the Clinton Global Initiative, you know that ending violence against women means confronting deep rooted problems and complex issues.  Progress will be slow, difficult and sometimes discouraging, but it is imperative that we continue to do this work to make a better world.  How can we stay motivated and passionate to confront this issue head on?"

Although President Clinton did not have a chance to answer Lucy’s question himself,  CBS News anchor and managing editor Katie Couric posed it to the panel at a CGI session on empowering girls and women she moderated on Tuedsay . 

Here's what two of the eminent panelists --  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, and Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan  -- had to say in response: 

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf:

"We just say to them, we’re going to stay the course … The biggest thing to stay passionate about it is to stay on course, to keep sensitizing the public, to introduce educational systems, the need for the protection of women, the role women that play and how this contributes to the entire society, and to have those instruments and those laws that will protect women and just continue to make progress."

Queen Rania Al Abdullah: 

"There’s no quick fix ... Each country has to look at its own cultural nuances and try to ... understand them, then try to make the changes. The most important thing is to never sweep problems under the rug. … People are always very quick to dismiss it [violence against women] as just something that happens behind closed doors. It’s overcoming cultural taboos and bringing those subjects in the open and forcing people to confront the reality on the ground. That’s when you’re going to see some changes."

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf:

"Katie, one more thing. Elect more women leaders."  [loud applause]

These are just a few highlights.  You can watch the entire CGI plenary session on empowering women and girls below.  Fast-forward to1:04:28 to hear President Sirleaf and Queen Rania answer Lucy's question.

And don't forget to join us in taking action on this issue: Tell Congress to end violence against women and girls.