Statement on International Women’s Day

WESTON, Fla. – In recognition of International Women’s Day, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) made the following statement:

“Today, on International Women’s Day, we recommit ourselves to the rights of women and girls in the U.S. and around the world. Throughout Women’s History Month, we reaffirm that women’s rights are human rights, and that bolstering female equality will have a sweeping and positive impact on societies everywhere. While women are often the catalysts for change and liberation, too many women are still enslaved and oppressed — including the victims of rape and gender-based violence, those who are denied an education, and those coerced into sex trafficking.

“Meaningful freedom for women and girls will never be possible without the ability to access education and the social tools necessary to build a fruitful life. But barriers to girls’ education are enormous worldwide. Women activists like the brave Mukhtar Mai of Pakistan receive death threats almost weekly for striving against the odds to educate young girls. We must fight to liberate these women and girls from the shackles of bondage—both physical and figurative—that keep them from freedom. For women to be free, we must ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, pass the International Violence Against Women Act, and work tirelessly wherever we can to support global health, education, political participation, and women’s empowerment.

“This month, as we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we must pay tribute to the indelible contributions women have made worldwide, while rededicating ourselves to the plight of those women and girls who still need our help today. Success will only come when women everywhere can stand tall and strong together in freedom, security, and peace.”