[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 171 (Thursday, November 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1669-E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 19, 2015

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and observe 
November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence 
against Women.

[[Page E1670]]

   Last week, I introduced House Resolution 519, which supports the 
ideals and goals of this day. November 25th is the start of the 16 Days 
of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which ends on December 
10th--Human Rights Day.
   Time and time again, in periods of conflict and natural disaster, 
the most unspeakable cruelties are inflicted on the bodies of women and 
children. Whether in the house or in conflict zones; whether by 
soldiers or by intimate partners--violence against women and girls is 
an ongoing cycle and a global threat which must be eliminated.
   Violence against women and girls are public health issues and 
egregious violations of human rights. The facts are startling. 
Worldwide, 35 percent of women have experienced either intimate partner 
violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. 120 million 
girls worldwide have experienced sexual assault at some point in their 
lives. And according to the World Health Organization, women aged 15-44 
are more at risk from rape and domestic violence, than cancer, car 
accidents, war, and malaria.
   In addition, women and girls are disproportionately impacted by 
natural disasters. Displacement settings exacerbate preexisting 
inequalities, render women and girls even more vulnerable, and create 
greater barriers in their ability to benefit from relief, recovery, and 
long-term reconstruction and development efforts. As we saw during the 
humanitarian crises in the Philippines, Nepal, Haiti, and the 2004 
Indian Ocean tsunami, women and children are the most vulnerable 
populations to sexual violence and human trafficking.
   Violence upon, and trafficking of, women are the worst kind of 
atrocities. As we have seen in Rwanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the 
Liberian refugee camps, sexual violence was rampant. Today, ISIL forces 
are systematically raping and violating Yezidi women and girls. In 
addition, since the beginning of Syria's conflict, reports have 
revealed patterns of gender-based violence perpetrated by both regime 
and opposition forces. Sadly, rapes in the Syrian refugee camps have 
also been reported.
   This violence must stop. Once and for all.
   Mr. Speaker, whether on the battlefield or in post-disaster areas, 
in the household or workplace; whether in refugee camps or sexual 
enslavement camps--violence against women and children must be 
recognized and stopped around the world.
   Even though we recognize November 25th as the International Day for 
the Elimination of Violence against Women, we should fight every day to 
end this violence against human rights.

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