Dick Lugar: “I rise to comment on International Women's Day and to join Senator Biden in introducing the Protection of Vulnerable…”

“I rise to comment on International Women's Day and to join Senator Biden in introducing the Protection of Vulnerable Populations During Humanitarian Emergencies Act of 2005. Today is International Women's Day, a day on which we celebrate the progress of women and rededicate ourselves to overcoming the inequities facing women around the globe. In many places in the world, discrimination continues to deny women and girls full political and economic equality. The lives and health of women and girls continue to be endangered by violence that is directed at them simply because they are female. In recognition of these issues, I co-sponsored a Resolution with Senators Biden and Clinton commemorating International Women's Day and reaffirming the Senate's commitment to improving the status of women worldwide. In addition, I am co-sponsoring with Senator Biden the Protection of Vulnerable Populations During Humanitarian Emergencies Act of 2005, which the Committee on Foreign Relations supported as an amendment to our Foreign Affairs Authorization Act for fiscal years 2006 and 2007. During humanitarian emergencies, women and children become more vulnerable to a range of abuses including sexual exploitation, trafficking and gender-based violence.”