Melanne Verveer: “These brutal attacks are part of an armed conflict strategy carried out through rape and sexualized torture.”

All those benefits of women's full economic participation I mentioned earlier--stronger, more stable societies--are also in our national interest.

It is just wrong that women anywhere are denied access to the same economic opportunities as men.

Women and girls are powerful and we know what happens when that power and potential are unleashed--communities thrive, local and global communities grow, societies prosper and become more inclusive and equitable.

This is not the time for the United States to be absent from such an important forum.