WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) together with Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and a bipartisan coalition of Senators today announced that they have introduced a resolution to recognize March 8, 2016 as International Women’s Day (IWD) and commemorate the achievements of women around the world.
“At home and abroad, the way women are treated is very much a barometer for the economic and social success of a given community,” Senator Cardin said. “Ensuring that girls and women can reach their full potentials should be a cornerstone of American domestic and foreign policy not just on International Women’s Day, but all year round.”
“International Women’s Day reminds us to celebrate the contributions women make around the world and here at home,” Senator Mikulski said. “Every day, women fight to build stronger economies, improve conditions for families and communities, and inspire the next generation of young girls. That’s why I fight every day to make sure that women are at the table and empowered to make a difference.”
The International Women’s Day resolution celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future while also recognizing the obstacles women continue to face in the struggle for equal rights and opportunities. International Women’s Day takes place annually on March 8.
In support of the goals of IWD, the resolution also affirms the advancement of women as a foreign policy priority for the United States. It notes that the ability of women to realize their full potential through education and economic empowerment is critical to a nation’s ability to achieve strong and lasting economic growth, as well as political and social stability. Specifically, the bipartisan resolution highlights the underrepresentation of women in all aspects of public life, the denial of basic human rights for women in select countries, as well as the threat of violence and abuse too many women around the world continue to face.
In addition to Senators Cardin, and Mikulski Shaheen, the bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.).
The full text of the resolution is available here.
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