Candidates advocate for women’s rights

>>> of the debate shifting from foreign policy but it didn't stop the candidates trying to reach out to women voters.

>> number two, better education. number three, gender equality . number four, the rule of law. we have to help these nations create civil societies .

>> whether it's supporting women 's rights, whether it's supporting religious minorities. they can say that the president of the united states and the united states of america has stood on the right side of history.

>> from los angeles to talk more about this, women 's health advocate and president obama 's supporter, sandra flope. good to have you here. good to see how the debates and the campaign pivoted in to women 's issues last night supposed to be the theme of foreign policy . both mitt romney and the president were talking about a lot of things directed at women and mitt romney specifically bringing up gender equality . through the arab spring. is that something that struck you?

>> it did. and i think both president obama and mr. romney see foreign policy as something that women care about. and see how we treat women in other countries and our work to encourage their education and development as being an important part of the foreign policy . obama has an extensive record on this both standing with young girls like malala who are fighting for their right to education and also empowering women in a development strategy for developing countries .

>> so as we break things down to look at them from gender, the latest nbc/" wall street " poll shows while they're tied, mitt romney has a ten-point lead, the president with an eight-point lead with women , what message was the president need to get to the undecided women voters with two weeks left?

>> well, i think that he continues the talk about what he's been talking about throughout the race, issues of fair pay and women 's access to health care as well as the foreign policy and gender equality globally that we were just discussing and really pointing out that the president has a proven track record on addressing the issues and plans for going forward, as well, and that mr. romney wants to leave women at the mercy of the employers on so many of these questions.

>> sandra flip from los angeles , nice to see you this morning. thank you for your time.

>> thanks for having me.