On the recordMarch 8, 2011
I rise today, March 8, to celebrate International Women's Day, on which we honor the economic, political, and social achievements of women in Colorado and across the world. It also happens to be the 100-year anniversary of International Women's Day. For 100 years, diverse nations have spoken as one to honor the achievements of women and look forward hopefully to a future with greater economic opportunities for all women, including my three daughters, Caroline, Halina, and Anne. I would like to celebrate today by discussing ways that we can build toward that future and create better economic opportunities for women in all countries--from Afghanistan to Zambia, two countries which, incidentally, celebrate International Women's Day as an official holiday. All too often, in many developing countries, women represent a disproportionate number of the poor. According to the United Nations Development Program, women represent 60 percent of the 1.4 billion people living on less than $1.25 a day. They also lack access to the same educational and health services as men. For example, two-thirds of the world's illiterate people are women. These disparities are stark, and their causes are the product of historical second-class citizenship for women. Such historical disadvantages are pervasive and systemic. Only with the determined effort of the international community can we begin to break down these barriers and foster true economic opportunities for women.
