[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 23 (Wednesday, March 6, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, this week I will be introducing a 
bipartisan resolution recognizing and supporting the goals of 
International Women's Day celebrated March 8 every year. We should 
commemorate this day by honoring the women around the globe who have 
contributed enormously to the struggle for gender equality and the 
advancement of women. That struggle continues today. While the right to 
vote has been won here in the United States, there still remain women 
in many countries fighting for their voices to be heard and for 
representation in their political process. Furthermore, women still 
earn less, own less property and have less access to education, 
employment and health care than men.
  Our war against terrorism should include ending violence against 
women. The U.N. estimates that one out of every three women and girls 
has been beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime. Each year there are 
1 million to 2 million women and children illegally trafficked across 
international borders, with 50,000 transported to the United States. It 
is estimated that 130 million girls and young women have been subjected 
to female genital mutilation, with at least 10,000 girls at risk of 
this practice here in the United States. It is unacceptable.
  I urge the Congress to pass this bipartisan resolution commemorating 
International Women's Day.

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