WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday recognizing International Women’s Day:

“At home and abroad, how a country treats its women is very much a barometer for economic and social success of that country. When women succeed, societies prosper.  When women live without limitations on their ability to work, without restrictions on their access to justice, and without fear of violence because of their gender, societies prosper. 

“I am alarmed that in just a few weeks in office, President Trump is already rolling  back U.S. efforts to address the critical needs of women, both in the United States and worldwide. The President’s reissuance and expansion of the global gag rule needlessly places millions of women’s and children’s lives in danger. And reports that the Administration aims to cut or completely eliminate global women’s programs at the State Department and USAID are not only deeply troubling, but extremely short sighted.

“The international community affirmed more than 20 years ago in the Beijing Declaration that the full implementation of women’s and girl’s rights is an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of all human rights.  Ensuring that girls and women can reach their full potentials must be a cornerstone of American domestic and foreign policy, regardless of political party. On this International Women’s Day, I recommit to doing all I can to ensure that the U.S. continues to invest in women so that we can build prosperity for future generations.”

Background:

Senator Cardin is the lead Senate sponsor of a resolution, S.J. Res. 5, to immediately revive the consideration of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which needs to be ratified by only three additional states to ensure that the U.S. Constitution finally guarantees full and equal protections to women. Nevada is scheduled to vote on ratification this week.