,,iii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #gd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #aa1 #bjac ,mrs4 ,shaheen 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 ,mrs4 ,boxer1 ,mr4 ,begich1 ,mr4 ,cardin1 ,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mrs4 ,feinstein1 ,ms4 ,klobuchar1 ,ms4 ,landrieu1 ,mr4 ,lautenberg1 ,ms4 ,mikulski1 ,ms4 ,murkowski1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,schatz1 and ,mr4 ,whitehouse7 submitted the following resolution2 which was considered and agreed to ,,resolution ,supporting the goals of ,international ,women's ,day4 ,whereas there are more than #c1cjj1jjj1jjj women in the world today2 ,whereas women around the world participate in the political1 social1 and economic life of their communities1 play a critical role in providing and caring for their families1 contribute substantially to the growth of economies1 and1 as both farmers and caregivers1 play an important role in advancing food security for their communities2 ,whereas the advancement of women around the world is a foreign policy priority for the ,united ,states2 ,whereas1 on ,january #cj1 #bjac1 ,president ,barack ,obama signed a presidential memorandum recognizing the need for dedicated professionals with 4 4 4 expertise and stature to sustain advances in the status of women and girls worldwide and directing the ,secretary of ,state to ensure that an ,ambassador-at-,large continues to lead the ,office of ,global ,women's ,issues2 ,whereas1 on ,december #ai1 #bjaa1 the ,obama ,administration launched the first-ever ,united ,states ,national ,action ,plan on ,women1 ,peace1 and ,security that included a comprehensive set of national commitments to advance the active participation of women in decision making relating to matters of war and peace2 ,whereas ,president ,obama said1 our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity--men and women--to reach their full potential2 ,whereas1 on ,august #aj1 #bjab1 ,president ,obama announced the first interagency ,strategy to ,prevent and ,respond to ,gender-based ,violence ,globally2 ,whereas the ability of women to realize their full potential is critical to the ability of a country to achieve strong and lasting economic growth and political and social stability2 ,whereas1 according to the ,international ,monetary ,fund1 focusing on the needs and empowerment of women is one of the keys to human development2 ,whereas1 according to the #bjab ,world ,economic ,forum ,global ,gender ,gap ,report1 reducing gender inequality enhances productivity and economic growth2 ,whereas1 according to the ,world ,bank #bjab ,world ,development ,report3 ,gender ,equality and ,development1 greater gender equality is also smart economics1 enhancing productivity and improving other development outcomes1 including prospects for the next generation and for the quality of societal policies and institutions2 ,whereas1 although strides have been made in recent decades1 women around the world continue to face significant obstacles in all aspects of their lives1 including underrepresentation in all aspects of public life1 denial of basic human rights1 and discrimination2 ,whereas1 despite some achievements by individual women leaders1 women around the world are still vastly underrepresented in high level positions and in national and local legislatures and governments and1 according to the ,inter-,parliamentary ,union1 women account for only #bj4c percent of national parliamentarians2 ,whereas women remain underrepresented in conflict prevention and conflict resolution efforts1 despite proven successes by women in conflict-affected regions in moderating violent extremism1 resolving disputes through non-violent mediation and negotiation1 and stabilizing their societies by improving access to peace and security services1 institutions1 and decision-making venues2 ,whereas1 according to the ,united ,nations1 #a in #c women around the world has experienced some form of gender-based violence and #a in #d women has been abused during pregnancy2 ,whereas1 according to the ,world ,health ,organization1 as many as #a in #e women report being sexually abused before the age of #ae2 ,whereas1 according to ,,unesco1 women account for #fd percent of the #gif1jjj1jjj adults worldwide who lack basic literacy skills2 ,whereas1 according to the ,united ,nations ,population ,fund1 #a in #i girls in developing countries 7excluding the ,people's ,republic of ,china7 will be married before the age of #ae2 ,whereas1 according to ,save the ,children1 pregnancy-related complications are a leading cause of death among girls between the ages of #ae and #ai in developing countries2 ,whereas1 according to the ,food and ,agriculture ,organization1 the majority of women living in rural areas of the developing world are heavily engaged in agricultural labor1 yet they receive less credit1 land1 agricultural inputs1 and training than their male counterparts2 ,whereas it is imperative to alleviate violence and discrimination against women and afford them every opportunity to be full and productive members of their communities2 and ,whereas ,march #h is recognized each year as ,international ,women's ,day1 a global day to celebrate the economic1 political1 and social achievements of women past1 present1 and future1 and a day to recognize the obstacles that women still face in the struggle for equal rights and opportunities3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that the ,senate-- 7#a7 supports the goals of ,international ,women's ,day2 7#b7 recognizes that the empowerment of women is inextricably linked to the potential of countries to generate economic growth1 sustainable democracy1 and inclusive security2 7#c7 recognizes and honors the women in the ,united ,states and around the world who have worked throughout history to ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human rights2 7#d7 reaffirms its commitment to ending discrimination and violence against women and girls1 to ensuring the safety and welfare of women and girls1 and to pursuing policies that guarantee the basic human rights of women and girls worldwide2 and 7#e7 encourages the people of the ,united ,states to observe ,international ,women's ,day with appropriate programs and activities4