[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E108]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FREEDOM ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2011

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to reintroduce the 
International Women's Freedom Act with my colleagues, Representatives 
Chaka Fattah, Jim Moran, Jerry McNerney, Lynn Woolsey, and Tim Ryan. 
This bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation which will increase 
awareness of human rights violations against women, as well as provide 
a set of mechanisms for the U.S. to address the violations of women's 
human rights abroad.
  The bill is modeled after the International Religious Freedom Act of 
1998, IRFA. IRFA created the U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom which 
has been successful in identifying violations of religious freedom 
abroad and recommending actions to Congress, the Secretary of State, 
and the President.
  It has been clear for many years that expanding opportunities for 
women not only improves their position in society, but also has a 
positive impact on economic growth and burgeoning democracies. As 
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has stated publicly regarding 
American foreign policy, ``there has to be special attention paid to 
the needs of women and girls. It's in America's national security 
interests to do so.'' And yet around the world, many countries relegate 
women to second-class status, denying them the right to vote, 
restricting their travel, and limiting their access to education and 
health care.
  The International Women's Freedom Act would ensure we have the tools 
to empower women on a global level. Modeled after the successful 
International Religious Freedom Act, the bill would establish a 
Commission on International Women's Rights and would expand the duties 
of the existing Office of International Women's issues in the State 
Department and rename it, the Office on International Women's Rights. 
Both the Commission and the Office on International Women's Rights 
would be granted the responsibilities of issuing a report on the status 
of women's rights abroad and advising the President and Secretary of 
State regarding matters affecting these issues.
  We need to work harder to ensure women's full participation in 
society. This legislation would move us closer to achieving this 
foreign policy imperative.

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