[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 41 (Monday, March 9, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S2906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, yesterday I joined people around the 
world in marking International Women's Day. Since the beginning of the 
20th century, variations of this day have been observed as an 
opportunity to highlight the issues that directly affect the lives of 
women and girls. At the same time, it is a day to reflect upon the 
lives, accomplishments, and struggles of women in our personal and 
collective histories. Much has been achieved since the first celebrants 
of National Women's Day began advocating for voting rights, shorter 
working hours, and higher pay. I am pleased that this Congress has 
already added to those achievements by passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair 
Pay Act of 2009 to help ensure protection from pay discrimination.
  Nevertheless, the need for such activism continues and the theme 
selected by the United Nations for this year's International Women's 
Day reminds us of that. The theme is ``Women and men united to end 
violence against women and girls.'' Throughout the world, whether in 
war-torn villages in eastern Congo or Darfur or Sri Lanka, this theme 
is tragically relevant. Here in America, too, this year's theme is 
tragically relevant. Despite all the progress we have made, gender-
based violence and sexual assault remain a devastatingly regular 
occurrence.
  We must do more to protect women and girls here at home and abroad 
whose lives are affected by this violence. I believe one way we can 
affirm our commitment to improving the status of women domestically and 
internationally is by ratifying the Convention on the Elimination of 
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women--CEDAW--now. The Convention 
was signed by the U.S. in 1980 and favorably reported by the Senate 
Foreign Relations Committee in 2002 with several reservations, 
understandings and declarations clarifying the Senate's position. 
Nevertheless, it still hasn't been considered by the full Senate. Our 
ratification would send an important message to the international 
community about our commitment to the rights of women and girls.
  We still have a long way to go, but International Women's Day reminds 
us that transformation is possible. We recognize the awesome power of 
our heroes who have struggled for change, especially women who have 
refused to give in or remain silent in the face of injustice. Many 
famous women come to mind, but there are also so many more whose names 
may not be noted in the pages of history but whose courage and 
compassion have made a lasting difference in the lives they've touched. 
Let's commit today to honor their legacy and to work for a lasting end 
to violence against women and girls.

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