On the recordMarch 28, 2011
I rise today to submit a resolution calling for women's rights in North Africa and the Middle East. Following weeks of tumult and protests in this area of the world, I could not be more honored to lead my 16 female colleagues in the United States Senate in emphasizing the importance of women's rights and political participation. As one unified voice, the 17 of us have introduced a resolution calling for a renewed focus on women's rights as leaders in North Africa and the Middle East consider constitutional reforms and shape new governments. The resolution we introduced reaffirms our commitment to representative and responsive democratic governments that respect women's rights and calls on leaders to include women when it comes to making decisions that will affect their lives. In the course of peaceful protests in countries throughout North Africa and the Middle East, women have stood shoulder to shoulder with men to advance their rights. Indeed, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has said that, ``the rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of the 21st century,'' and I couldn't agree more. Earlier this year, demonstrations spread from Tunisia to Egypt, with thousands of protesters peacefully calling for new governments, free and fair elections, significant constitutional and political reforms, greater economic opportunity, and an end to government corruption.…





