Mediaboss Marketing

Former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton speaks at a press conference announcing a new initiative between the Clinton Foundation, United Nations Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, titled Data2x on December 15, 2014 in New York City. Andrew Burton, Getty Images

Two years after launching a project called Data2X, which aims to advance gender equality around the world, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday kicked off the next phase of the project, announcing new partnerships to collect data on gender gaps. At Monday's event, Clinton explained why she's spearheading projects like this one.

"I have been championing the rights of women and girls around the world, as well as here at home, for many years," Clinton said, repeating a narrative she's used multiple times this year. "I got tired of seeing otherwise thoughtful people smile and nod when I raise these issues."

Clinton has indeed worked on issues relating to women and families for decades. Yet as a presidential candidate in the 2008 election cycle, the focus of her campaign fell more on her managerial credentials, with a promise that she was "ready to lead."

Eight years later, the circumstances are different. Clinton has more experience as a stateswoman under her belt, American women have embraced the concept of "leaning in," and women's issues -- such as ensuring equal pay for equal work, or requiring paid sick leave -- have come to the forefront of national conversations. Moreover, the very idea of what constitutes "women's issues" has broadened dramatically since Hillary Clinton first entered public life.

"We've witnessed a rise in the awareness of these issues," Neera Tanden, president of the liberal Center for American Progress (CAP), told CBS News. CAP launched its own campaign focused on elevating policies to help women and families just last year.

"There's a lot more [discussion] about the treatment of working women, whether it's positive or negative," Tanden said, referencing a range of issues, from the discussion in Congress over sexual assault in the military to news reports on pay disparities in Hollywood.

These new discussions give Clinton a better chance than ever to cast herself as a champion for women and families. While she has yet to announce whether she'll launch another bid for the White House, Clinton has this year taken steps to further solidify her standing as a voice for women.

Play Video

During her remarks to the Democratic National Committee's Women's Leadership Forum Conference in Washington, D.C., the former secretary of state ...

Read the original:
Will Hillary Clinton be a champion for women in the 2016 election?