Collins, Shaheen Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing International Women’s Day 2024

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize March 8, 2024, as International Women’s Day. The resolution celebrates the achievements of women and girls around the globe and underscores the significant barriers that still stand in the way of women’s full equality and empowerment.

 “On International Women’s Day, we honor the invaluable achievements of women who have blazed trails and broken barriers in every field of endeavor,” said Senator Collins. “At the same time, we recognize that women and girls in countries like Afghanistan and Iran are increasingly being targeted with oppression and violence.  Today is an opportunity to reaffirm our enduring commitment to work toward a world that guarantees basic human rights and empowers women of all ages.”

“Women’s strength and resilience is on display across the globe as they fearlessly and tirelessly advocate for their rights while also driving economic development and defending democracy,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution, which signifies our nation’s belief that the equity, equality and empowerment of women and girls must be a policy priority here in the United States and around the world.”  

Specifically, the resolution reaffirms the advancement of women around the globe as a U.S. foreign policy priority and emphasizes that women throughout the world:

1. Have fundamental rights that must be respected by all countries;
2. Participate in the political, social and economic lives of their communities;
3. Play a critical role in providing and caring for their families;
4. Contribute substantially to economic growth and the prevention and resolution of conflict; and
5. Play an important role in the advancement of food security for their communities.

Collins and Shaheen have led the International Women’s Day resolution in the U.S. Senate since 2011. The Senators previously reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). This bipartisan bill would ensure that combating gender-based violence around the world remains a top diplomatic and development priority for the United States. In April 2022, Collins and Shaheen traveled with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to the UN to discuss how the U.S. and international community can best support women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Following a horrific terror attack on a girls’ school in Kabul, Shaheen and Collins led a bipartisan resolution urging international support for Afghan women and girls.

The International Women’s Day resolution text can be read here.

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