On October 9, the House passed, 378-0, a resolution (H. Res. 32) denouncing the practices of female genital mutilation, domestic violence, “honor” killings, acid burning, dowry deaths, and other forms of gender-based persecution. The resolution also expressed the sense of the House that the participation, protection, recognition, and equality of women is crucial to achieving a just, moral, and honorable society. On July 31, the resolution was passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (see The Source, 8/3/07).
Speaking in support of her resolution, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) said, “In recent decades, women have made crucial strides toward equality. Our daughters now have a wide range of options and opportunities, and they can look forward to a life full of promise. Despite this important progress, women and girls throughout the world, including here in our own nation, continue to face gender-based persecutions. In many parts of the world, a culture of violence and discrimination persists, denying women rights equal to those of men, and legitimizing the exploitation of women for personal gratification, political purposes, and financial gain. My legislation strongly denounces such practices, and reaffirms the societal value of the independence of women.”
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) said, “H. Res. 32 recognizes that democracy, political stability, public health, and economic development are linked to the welfare of women and children. Two-thirds of the world’s work is performed by women, yet women still earn less than five percent of its income, own less than one percent of its property, and make up nearly 70 percent of the people living in poverty, unfortunately. The lack of legal standing of women in many societies makes them especially susceptible to poverty, exploitation, abuse, and, inevitably, infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Yet as women serve as the provider and educator for their families in many traditional societies, their exploitation threatens the prosperity of their entire family and community. As such, the resolution calls upon governments to address the entrenched gender inequalities that threaten development, as well as national security…This resolution does not seek to bestow upon women any special privilege. It simply recognizes the fact that no matter where one lives, and no matter what their race, religion, or culture, we are all human beings who deserve the opportunity to live in dignity and free from oppression or abuse based solely on our gender.”
