[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2991-S2992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate 
International Women's Day, which is celebrated around the world on 
March 8. For nearly a century, women's groups worldwide have paused on 
this day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women 
around the globe. This day is also an opportunity to reflect on the 
challenges that women continue to face in their daily lives.
  Despite the progress women have made in many countries, women 
worldwide continue to confront discrimination, violence and even 
slavery. In central Africa and, specifically, in the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo, DRC, sexual violence has increasingly been used 
as a weapon against women and girls. These horrific acts cannot be 
tolerated, and those responsible for these atrocities must be held 
accountable. At the same time, the international community must reach 
out to help provide medical and psycho-social support to women and 
girls affected by these horrors, and must work vigorously with civil 
society and local authorities to prevent these abuses in the future.
  Sadly, these violent acts are not isolated instances. Rather, they 
are indicative of the violence occurring against women in many conflict 
zones. Experts note that women and girls are most affected by violence, 
economic instability, and displacement associated with warfare. At 
home, in flight or in refugee camps, they are frequently threatened by 
rape and sexual exploitation. Far too many victims of domestic violence 
and of human trafficking. In some countries, women fall victim to 
``honor killings,'' a deplorable practice whereby women are murdered by 
male relatives for actions that are perceived to bring dishonor to the 
family. Other countries tolerate the burning of thousands of brides a 
year due to insufficient dowries.
  While I am pleased that the United States has begun to address the 
global HIV/AIDS crisis, the pandemic continues to exact a terrible 
human toll on communities around the world, and in sub-Saharan Africa, 
it is having a particularly devastating effect on women. As the ranking 
member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on 
African Affairs, I have had the opportunity to travel to numerous 
countries in Africa and see firsthand the devastating toll that HIV/
AIDS and other infectious diseases are taking on the people of this 
continent. According to United Nations reports, over 25 million adults 
and children in Africa are infected with the HIV virus, the majority of 
them in sub-Saharan Africa.
  Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region in which women are infected 
with the virus at a higher rate than men. UNAIDS, the United Nations 
Program on HIV/AIDS, reports that women make up an estimated 58 percent 
of the HIV-positive adult population in this region, as compared to 50 
percent worldwide. Young women and girls are especially at risk. The 
United Nations reports that in this region 6 to 11 percent of girls age 
15-24 are infected with HIV, whereas infection among boys of the same 
age group is 3 to 6 percent. International efforts to fight AIDS will 
not succeed unless we make a sustained and serious effort to address 
the factors that make women and girls so vulnerable to exposure. This 
means more than talking about legal rights, and more than talking about 
economic empowerment. It means that we must take action.

  Despite these difficulties for women, encouraging signs of women's 
progress are also in evidence around the world. In Western and Central 
Africa, international courts are holding those responsible for crimes 
against humanity, including the use of rape as a weapon of war, 
accountable for their actions
  In Mexico, indigenous women, who once lived in the shadows of a 
deeply patriarchal society, are increasing their influence in local 
communities. These women are increasingly buying small businesses and 
owning their own land, taking an aggressive stance against domestic 
violence and contributing to decision-making in their communities.
  In Afghanistan, women are finally back in school. The new Afghan 
Constitution, approved on January 4, 2004, provides equal rights and 
duties under

[[Page S2992]]

the law to women and includes special provisions to encourage women's 
access to education and government. Restoring human rights, and, in 
particular, women's rights, is key to Afghanistan's successful 
reconstruction and transition to democracy.
  Women of all cultures are being recognized on an international stage 
for their contributions. Notably, Shiri Edadi won the 2003 Nobel Peace 
Prize for her efforts to promote democracy and human rights in Iran, 
particularly for women and children.
  The U.S. Senate can work toward protecting women's rights and 
improving the status of women domestically and internationally by 
acting upon the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of 
Discrimination against Women, or CEDAW. CEDAW is a comprehensive treaty 
on women's human rights addressing almost all forms of discrimination 
in areas such as education, employment, marriage and family, health 
care, politics and law. It has been over two decades since the United 
States signed this treaty, and it still awaits consideration before the 
Senate. Once again, I urge the Committee on Foreign Relations to take 
up this treaty and allow the Senate the opportunity to offer its advice 
and consent on this important convention.
  International Women's Day celebrates the progress women have made in 
the face of adversity and pays tribute to women fighting against 
discrimination and other injustices. This year, Congress recognized 
Dorothy Height for her tremendous work for women's rights. Ms. Height, 
who fought against racism and violence toward African Americans, also 
battled for women's full and equal employment, increased educational 
opportunities, and institutions for women in the United States. This 
year, she was awarded a congressional gold medal for her contributions 
to our nation.
  Women have made tremendous strides in the last century. In the United 
States, more and more women are attending college and earning post-
graduate degrees. Worldwide, women are becoming increasingly active in 
the political process--more women are being elected to office and 
appointed to positions of power than ever before. In the year 2000, 11 
countries were led by women.
  While I recognize that women in the U.S. continue to make great 
advances, work remains to narrow the wage disparity between men and 
women. Although some progress has been made in narrowing the gender 
wage-gap since Congress enacted the Equal Pay Act in 1963, unfair wage 
disparities continue. I am proud to support legislative efforts to 
correct his discrepancy. In addition, I encourage the Senate to 
consider legislation to reauthorize the TANF program. I believe that 
any welfare reauthorization bill that passes the Senate should help to 
ensure that we are not just reducing the welfare rolls, but are also 
helping current and former TANF recipients break the cycle of poverty.
  Unfortunately, violence against women is still all too prevalent in 
our country. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury among 
women of child-bearing age. One out of every six American women have 
been victims of a rape or an attempted rape. Many rapes go unreported, 
and more than half of the women attacked know their assailant. We must 
continue to adequately fund state and local programs, including support 
shelters for women suffering from violent abuse in their homes. These 
safe havens deserve strong support and funding for the invaluable work 
they provide for women and communities around the country.
  As we honor women and celebrate their accomplishments and 
contributions, we must recognize that there is still much more to be 
done in the struggle for gender equity. Discrimination and violence 
against women continue to exist at home and abroad. The United States 
and the rest of the international community must reaffirm their 
commitment to promote gender equality and human rights around the 
world.

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