Lynn C. Woolsey: “I wholeheartedly agree that we must address the problem of sexual trafficking of women and children throughout the…”

“I wholeheartedly agree that we must address the problem of sexual trafficking of women and children throughout the globe, and I support H.R. 3244 with a lot of enthusiasm. More than 2 million women and girls are enslaved around the world. In the United States, estimates run as high as 100,000 being enslaved into sexual and domestic servitude as a result of lax protections. Present laws in the United States are inadequate. This bill, H.R. 3244, addresses ways to deter trafficking and assist victims and it must be passed. But what is this Congress doing to strengthen women's human rights around the world in order to eradicate international sexual trafficking? Unfortunately, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has not ratified the United Nation's women's treaty known as CEDAW, Convention to End Discrimination Against All Women. Ratification of CEDAW puts the United States in a position to be a real player when advocating for women's human rights and fighting against sexual trafficking. Mr. Speaker, 165 countries, including Nepal, have ratified CEDAW.”