[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 34 (Tuesday, March 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I rise today, March 8, to celebrate 
International Women's Day, on which we honor the economic, political, 
and social achievements of women in Colorado and across the world. It 
also happens to be the 100-year anniversary of International Women's 
Day. For 100 years, diverse nations have spoken as one to honor the 
achievements of women and look forward hopefully to a future with 
greater economic opportunities for all women, including my three 
daughters, Caroline, Halina, and Anne.
  I would like to celebrate today by discussing ways that we can build 
toward that future and create better economic opportunities for women 
in all countries--from Afghanistan to Zambia, two countries which, 
incidentally, celebrate International Women's Day as an official 
holiday.
  All too often, in many developing countries, women represent a 
disproportionate number of the poor. According to the United Nations 
Development Program, women represent 60 percent of the 1.4 billion 
people living on less than $1.25 a day. They also lack access to the 
same educational and health services as men. For example, two-thirds of 
the world's illiterate people are women.
  These disparities are stark, and their causes are the product of 
historical second-class citizenship for women. Such historical 
disadvantages are pervasive and systemic. Only with the determined 
effort of the international community can we begin to break down these 
barriers and foster true economic opportunities for women.
  Many women and girls are trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty 
because of their limited access to basic financial services. Women 
often manage the household and produce food for the entire family, but 
they are unable to save money, protect against calamity, or obtain a 
small loan--simple banking tools you and I take for granted.
  For example, 75 percent of the world's women cannot obtain formal 
bank loans, partly because they lack permanent employment, capital, and 
assets, such as land. In some countries, like Burkina Faso, laws do not 
specifically discriminate against women, but they do establish 
landowner criteria that effectively exclude women.
  One way to bridge this gap is to connect women with access to 
financial services and microfinance. Very small loans can help some 
women start and expand small businesses. Others need a safe place to 
store money as they save for school fees and health care services for 
their children. Some small businesswomen and female heads of households 
wish to purchase simple forms of insurance to protect against 
unexpected illnesses, which can often wipe a family out. By increasing 
women's access to such basic financial services, we can help countless 
women weather unexpected storms and gain agency over their economic 
well-being.
  Creating economic and financial opportunities for women worldwide is 
the right thing to do, and it is also the smart thing to do. In 
countries like Pakistan and Yemen, supporting women can lead to 
measurable progress in the economic success of families and the 
direction of tomorrow's youth. In sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, 
these efforts can help small-scale, subsistence farmers, most of whom 
are women, prevent future food crises and help stabilize struggling 
democracies.
  Mr. President and all other Members here today, please join me in 
celebrating International Women's Day by supporting efforts to expand 
economic opportunities for women around the world.

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