[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 31 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOAL OF ``INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY''
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 90.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
The legislative clerk read as follows:
A resolution (S. Res. 90) supporting the goal of
``International Women's Day'' and recognizing this year's
centennial anniversary of International Women's Day.
There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the
resolution.
Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any
statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is ordered.
The resolution (S. Res. 90) was agreed to.
The preamble was agreed to.
The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:
S. Res. 90
Whereas there are more than 3,300,000,000 women in the
world today;
Whereas women around the world participate in the
political, social, and economic life of their communities,
play a critical role in providing and caring for their
families, contribute substantially to the growth of
economies, and, as both farmers and caregivers, play an
important role in advancing food security for their
communities;
Whereas President Barack Obama said, ``[o]ur common
prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity - men
and women - to reach their full potential'';
Whereas Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said,
``Put simply, we have much less hope of addressing the
complex challenges we face in this new century without the
full participation of women. Whether the economic crisis, the
spread of terrorism, regional conflicts that threaten
families and communities, and climate change and the dangers
it presents to the world's health and security, we will not
solve these challenges through half measures. Yet too often,
on these issues and many more, half the world is left
behind.'';
Whereas the ability of women to realize their full
potential is critical to the ability of a nation to achieve
strong and lasting economic growth and political and social
stability;
Whereas according to the 2010 World Economic Forum Global
Gender Gap Report, ``reducing gender inequality enhances
productivity and economic growth'';
Whereas according to the International Monetary Fund,
``focusing on the needs and empowerment of women is one of
the keys to human development'';
Whereas despite some achievements made by individual women
leaders, women around the globe are still vastly
underrepresented in high level positions and in national and
local legislatures and governments and, according to the
Inter-Parliamentary Union, women account for only 19.2
percent of national parliamentarians;
Whereas although strides have been made in recent decades,
women around the world continue to face significant obstacles
in all aspects of their lives including denial of basic human
rights, discrimination, and gender-based violence;
Whereas according to the World Bank, women account for
approximately 70 percent of individuals living in poverty
worldwide;
Whereas according to UNESCO, women account for 64 percent
of the 796,000,000 adults worldwide who lack basic literacy
skills;
Whereas according to the International Center for Research
on Women, there are more than 60,000,000 child brides in
developing countries, some of whom are as young as 7 years
old;
Whereas according to the Food and Agriculture Organization,
the majority of women living in rural areas of the developing
world are heavily engaged in agricultural labor, yet they
receive less credit, land, agricultural inputs, and training
than their male counterparts;
Whereas according to the International Union for
Conservation of Nature, women in developing countries are
disproportionately affected by changes in climate because of
their need to secure water, food, and fuel for their
livelihood;
Whereas according to the World Health Organization, as many
as 1 in 5 women report being sexually abused before the age
of 15;
Whereas March 8 is recognized each year as International
Women's Day, a global day to celebrate the economic,
political, and social achievements of women past, present,
and future and a day to recognize the obstacles that women
still face in the struggle for equal rights and
opportunities; and
Whereas the milestone 100th anniversary of International
Women's Day is a testament to the dedication and
determination of women and men around the world to address
gender inequality: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the goals of ``International Women's Day'';
(2) recognizes the significance of the 100th anniversary of
International Women's Day;
(3) recognizes that the empowerment of women is
inextricably linked to the potential of nations to generate
economic growth and sustainable democracy;
(4) recognizes and honors the women in the United States
and around the world who have worked throughout history to
ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human
rights;
(5) reaffirms its commitment to ending discrimination and
violence against women and girls, to ensuring the safety and
welfare of women and girls, and to pursuing policies that
guarantee the basic human rights of women and girls
worldwide; and
(6) encourages the people of the United States to observe
International Women's Day with appropriate programs and
activities.
____________________