[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FREEDOM ACT OF 2013

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, today, I am proud 
to reintroduce the International Women's Freedom Act with my 
colleagues, Representatives Barbara Lee and Eleanor Holmes Norton. 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. 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. 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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