,,iii  #aaf? ,,congress  #b;d ,session  
,s4 ,,res4 #ecc  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!
 ,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,m>* #e1 #bjbj,mrs4   
,%ahe5 7= h]self1 ,ms4 ,coll9s1 ,mr4    
,murphy1 & ,ms4 ,baldw97 submitt$ !     
foll[+ resolution2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to !    
,committee on ,=eign ,relations         
,,resolution  ,support+ ! goals (       
,int]national ,wom5's ,day4  ,:]eas1 z (
 ,m>* #bjbj1 !re are approximately      
#c1gfd1jjj1jjj wom5 & girls 9 ! _w2     
,:]eas wom5 & girls ar\nd ! _w-- 7#a7 h 
fundam5tal human rights2  7#b7 play a   
critical role 9 provid+ & c>+ = _!      
families & driv+ positive *ange 9 _!    
communities2  7#c7 contribute           
sub/antially to food security1 economic 
gr[?1 ! prev5tion & resolution (        
conflict1 & ! su/a9ability ( peace &    
/ability2 &  7#d7 mu/ h mean+ful        
opportunities to m fully p>ticipate 9 & 
lead ! political1 social1 & economic    
lives ( _! communities2 ,:]eas !        
advancem5t & emp[]m5t ( wom5 & girls    
ar\nd ! _w is a =eign policy priority = 

! ,unit$ ,/ates & is critical to !      
a*ievem5t ( global peace & prosp]ity2   
,:]eas #bjbj m>ks ! anniv]s>y (         
significant mile/ones t[>d advanc+ !    
human rights & equality ( wom5 & girls1 
includ+-- 7#a7 ! #ajj? anniv]s>y (      
wom5's suffrage 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 &    
7#b7 ! #bj? anniv]s>y ( ! ,wom51 ,peace1
 & ,security ,ag5da1 :i* 0 e/abli%$     
?r\gh ! unanim\s adoption ( ,unit$      
,nations ,security ,c\ncil ,resolution  
#acbe 9 ,octob] #bjjj2 ,:]eas !         
,national ,security ,/rategy ( ! ,unit$ 
,/ates1 publi%$ 9 ,decemb] #bjag-- 7#a7 
decl>es t societies t emp[] wom5 to     
p>ticipate fully 9 civic & economic life
 are m prosp]\s & peaceful2  7#b7       
supports ef=ts to advance wom5's        
equality1 protect ! rights ( wom5 &     
girls1 & promote wom5 & y\? emp[]m5t    
programs2 &  7#c7 recognizes t gov]nm5ts
 t fail to treat wom5 equally d n all[  
_! societies to rea* _! pot5tial2       
,:]eas1 on ,octob] #f1 #bjag1 ! ,wom51  
,peace1 & ,security ,act ( #bjag 7#bb   

,u4,s4,c4 #baeb;j et seq47 0 enact$ into
 law1 :i* includes requirem5ts = a      
gov]nm5t-wide ,wom51 ,peace1 & ,security
 ,/rategy to promote & /r5g!n !         
p>ticipation ( wom5 9 peace negotiations
 & conflict prev5tion ov]seas1 enhanc$  
tra9+ = relevant ,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t
 p]sonnel1 & foll[-up evaluations ( !   
effectiv5ess ( ! /rategy2 ,:]eas !      
,unit$ ,/ates ,/rategy on ,wom51 ,peace1
 & ,security1 dat$ ,june #bjai1         
recognizes t-- 7#a7 ! social & political
 m>g9alization ( wom5 /rongly correlates
 ) ! likelihood t a c\ntry w exp]i5ce   
conflict2  7#b7 !re is a trem5d\s am\nt 
( untapp$ pot5tial among ! _w's wom5 &  
girls to id5tify1 recomm5d1 & implem5t  
effective solutions to conflict1 & !re  
are b5efits d]iv$ f creat+ opportunities
 = wom5 & girls to s]ve z ag5ts ( peace 
via political1 economic1 & social       
emp[]m5t2 &  7#c7 b>ri]s to ! mean+ful  
p>ticipation ( wom5 & girls 9 conflict  
prev5tion & resolution ef=ts include    
"u-repres5tation 9 political lead]%ip1  

p]vasive viol5ce aga9/ wom5 & girls1 &  
p]si/5t inequality 9 _m societies2      
,:]eas1 accord+ to ! ,unit$ ,nations    
,entity = ,g5d] ,equality & ! ,emp[]m5t 
( ,wom5 7commonly ref]r$ to z ,,un      
,wom571 peace negotiations are m likely 
to end 9 a peace agreem5t :5 wom5 &     
wom5's gr\ps play a mean+ful role 9 !   
negotiation process2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to 
a /udy by ! ,int]national ,peace        
,in/itute1 a peace agreem5t is #ce p]c5t
 m likely to la/ at lea/ #ae ye>s if    
wom5 p>ticipate 9 ! developm5t ( ! peace
 agreem5t2 ,:]eas !re are #hc national  
action plans relat+ to ! emp[]m5t ( wom5
 ar\nd ! _w1 #aa regional action plans1 
& at lea/ #i additional national action 
plans 9 developm5t2 ,:]eas ! jo9t       
/rategy ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate & ! ,unit$
 ,/ates ,ag5cy = ,int]national          
,developm5t 7,,usaid7 entitl$ ,dep>tm5t 
( ,/ate  ,,usaid ,jo9t ,/rategy on      
,c\nt]+ ,viol5t ,extremism & dat$ ,may  
#bjaf-- 7#a7 notes t wom5 c play a      
critical role 9 id5tify+ & address+     

driv]s ( viol5t extremism 9 _! families1
 communities1 & broad] society2 &  7#b7 
commits to support+ programs t engage   
wom5 z key /akehold]s 9 prev5t+ & c\nt]+
 viol5t extremism 9 _! communities2     
,:]eas1 accord+ to ! ,bureau (          
,int]national ,n>cotics & ,law ,en=cem5t
 ,affairs ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate1 ! full 
& mean+ful p>ticipation ( wom5 9 crim9al
 ju/ice pr(essions & security =ces va/ly
 enhances ! effectiv5ess ( ! security   
=ces2 ,:]eas1 despite ! contributions ( 
wom5 to society1 hundr$s ( millions (   
wom5 & girls ar\nd ! _w cont9ue to be   
d5i$ ! "r to p>ticipate freely 9 civic &
 economic life1 lack fundam5tal legal   
protections1 & rema9 vuln]able to       
exploitation & abuse2 ,:]eas1 e ye>1    
approximately #ab1jjj1jjj girls are     
m>ri$ be=e !y rea* ! age ( #ah1 :i*     
means t-- 7#a7 ne>ly #cc1jjj girls are  
m>ri$ e day2 or  7#b7 ne>ly #bc girls   
are m>ri$ e m9ute2 ,:]eas1 despite      
global progress1 x is pr$ict$ t by #bjcj
 m ?an #aej1jjj1jjj m girls w m>ry be=e 

rea*+ ! age ( #ah1 & approximately      
#b1djj1jjj girls :o are m>ri$ be=e rea*+
 ! age ( #ah are "u ! age ( #ae2 ,:]eas 
girls liv+ 9 c\ntries affect$ by        
conflict or o!r humanit>ian crises are  
(t5 ! mo/ vuln]able to *ild m>riage1 &  
#i ( ! #aj c\ntries ) ! highe/ rates (  
*ild m>riage are consid]$ fragile or    
extremely fragile2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to ! 
,int]national ,lab\r ,organization1 #ga 
p]c5t ( ! e/imat$ #dj1cjj1jjj victims ( 
mod]n slav]y 9 #bjaf 7 wom5 or girls2   
,:]eas1 accord+ to ! ,unit$ ,nation's   
,*ildr5's ,fund 7commonly ref]r$ to z   
,,unicef7-- 7#a7 approximately #a_/d (  
girls betwe5 ! ages ( #ae & #ai are     
victims ( physical viol5ce2  7#b7       
approximately #abj1jjj1jjj girls        
worldwide1 slightly m ?an #a 9 #aj1 h   
exp]i5c$ =c$ sexual acts2 &  7#c7 an    
e/imat$ #a 9 #c wom5 ar\nd ! _w has     
exp]i5c$ "s =m ( physical or sexual     
viol5ce2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to ! #bjah     
report ( ! ,unit$ ,nations ,(fice on    
,drugs & ,crime entitl$ ,global ,report 

on ,traffick+ 9 ,p]sons1 #gb p]c5t ( all
 detect$ traffick+ victims are wom5 or  
girls2 ,:]eas1 on ,augu/ #aj1 #bjab1 !  
,unit$ ,/ates ,gov]nm5t laun*$ a /rategy
 entitl$ ,unit$ ,/ates ,/rategy to      
,prev5t & ,respond to ,g5d]-,bas$       
,viol5ce ,globally1 :i* is ! fir/       
int]ag5cy /rategy t-- 7#a7 addresses    
g5d]-bas$ viol5ce ar\nd ! _w2  7#b7     
advances ! rights & /atus ( wom5 &      
girls2  7#c7 promotes g5d] equality 9   
,unit$ ,/ates =eign policy2 &  7#d7     
works to br+ ab\t a _w 9 :i* all        
individuals c pursue _! aspirations )\t 
! ?reat ( viol5ce2 ,:]eas1 9 ,june      
#bjaf1 ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate releas$ an   
update to t /rategy1 und]scor+ t prev5t+
 & respond+ to g5d]-bas$ viol5ce is a   
corn]/one ( ! ,u4,s4 ,gov]nm5t's        
commitm5t to advanc+ human rights &     
promot+ g5d] equality & ! emp[]m5t (    
wom5 & girls2 ,:]eas1 despite !         
a*ievem5ts ( individual female lead]s & 
evid5ce t democracy & equality "u ! law 
=m a mutually re9=c+ relation%ip 9 :i*  

high] levels ( equality are /rongly     
correlat$ ) ! relative /ate ( peace ( a 
c\ntry1 a heal?i] dome/ic security      
environm5t1 & l[] levels ( aggression   
t[>d o!r c\ntries-- 7#a7 wom5 ar\nd ! _w
 rema9 va/ly und]repres5t$ 9-- 7,a7     
national & local legislatures &         
gov]nm5ts2 &  7,b7 o!r high-level       
positions2 &  7#b7 accord+ to !         
,int]-,p>liam5t>y ,union1 wom5 acc\nt = 
only #be p]c5t ( national p>liam5t>ians 
& #ba p]c5t ( gov]nm5t m9i/]s2 ,:]eas ! 
ability ( wom5 & girls to realize _!    
full pot5tial is critical to ! ability (
 a c\ntry to a*ieve /rong & la/+        
economic gr[?1 self-reliance1 &         
political & social /ability2 ,:]eas !   
ov]all level ( viol5ce aga9/ wom5 is a  
bett] pr$ictor ( ! peacefulness ( a     
c\ntry1 ! compliance ( a c\ntry )       
int]national treaty obligations1 & !    
relations ( a c\ntry ) neighbor+        
c\ntries ?an indicators measur+ ! level 
( democracy1 level ( weal?1 or level (  
in/itutionalization ( ! c\ntry2 ,:]eas1 

al?\gh ! ,unit$ ,nations ,mill5nium     
,project rea*$ ! goal ( a*iev+ g5d]     
p>ity 9 prim>y education 9 mo/ c\ntries 
9 #bjae1 m "w rema9s to be done to      
a*ieve g5d] equality 9 prim>y & second>y
 education1 & p>ticul>ly 9 second>y     
education worldwide z g5d] gaps p]si/ & 
wid51 by address+-- 7#a7 discrim9atory  
practices2  7#b7 h>mful cultural &      
social norms2  7#c7 inadequate          
sanitation facilities1 includ+          
facilities to manage m5/ruation2  7#d7  
*ild1 e>ly1 & =c$ m>riage2  7#e7 pov]ty2
  7#f7 e>ly pregnancy & mo!rhood2  7#g7 
conflict & insecurity2 &  7#h7 o!r      
factors t favor boys or devalue girls'  
education2 ,:]eas1 accord+ to ! ,unit$  
,nations ,educational1 ,sci5tific &     
,cultural ,organization-- 7#a7          
approximately #abi1bjj1jjj girls betwe5 
! ages ( #f & #ag rema9 out ( s*ool2    
7#b7 girls liv+ 9 c\ntries affect$ by   
conflict are #b4e times m likely to be  
out ( s*ool ?an boys2  7#c7 girls are   
twice z likely z boys to nev] set foot 9

 a classroom2 &  7#d7 up to #cj p]c5t ( 
girls :o drop out ( s*ool d s because ( 
adolesc5t pregnancy or *ild m>riage2    
,:]eas wom5 ar\nd ! _w face a v>iety (  
con/ra9ts t sev]ely limit _! economic   
p>ticipation & productivity & rema9     
und]repres5t$ 9 ! labor =ce2 ,:]eas !   
economic emp[]m5t ( wom5 is inextricably
 l9k$ to a myriad ( o!r human rights t  
are ess5tial to ! ability ( wom5 to     
?rive z economic actors1 includ+-- 7#a7 
liv+ lives free ( viol5ce &             
exploitation2  7#b7 a*iev+ ! highe/     
possible /&>d ( heal? & well-be+2  7#c7 
enjoy+ full legal & human rights1 su* z 
access to regi/ration1 id5tification1 & 
citiz5%ip docum5ts1 & fre$om ( movem5t2 
7#d7 access to =mal & in=mal education2 
7#e7 access to1 & equal protection "u1  
l& & prop]ty rights2  7#f7 access to    
fundam5tal labor rights2  7#g7 !        
implem5tation ( policies to address     
disproportionate c>e burd5s2 &  7#h7    
receiv+ bus9ess & managem5t skills &    
lead]%ip opportunities2 ,:]eas clos+ !  

global g5d] gap 9 labor m>kets c\ld     
increase worldwide gross dome/ic product
 by z mu* z #bh1jjj1jjj1jjj1jjj by      
#bjbe2 ,:]eas1 pursuant to section      
#c7;b7 ( ! ,wom5's ,entrepr5eur%ip &    
,economic ,emp[]m5t ,act ( #bjah 7#bb   
,u4,s4,c4 #baea-b7;b771 x is !          
int]national developm5t coop]ation      
policy ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates-- 7#a7 to r$uce
 g5d] disp>ities ) respect to economic1 
social1 political1 educational1 &       
cultural res\rces1 z well z weal?1      
opportunities1 & s]vices2  7#b7 to /rive
 to elim9ate g5d]-bas$ viol5ce &        
mitigate its h>mful effects on          
individuals & communities1 includ+ ?r\gh
 ef=ts to develop /&>ds & capacity to   
r$uce g5d]-bas$ viol5ce 9 ! workplace & 
o!r places :]e wom5 "w2  7#c7 to support
 activities t secure private prop]ty    
rights & l& t5ure = wom5 9 develop+     
c\ntries1 includ+-- 7,a7 support+ legal 
frameworks t give wom5 equal rights to  
own1 regi/]1 use1 pr(it f1 & inh]it l& &
 prop]ty2  7,b7 improv+ legal lit]acy to

 enable wom5 to ex]cise ! rights        
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a72 &  7,c7    
improv+ ! capacity ( law en=cem5t &     
community lead]s to en=ce su* rights2   
7#d7 to increase ! capability ( wom5 &  
girls to fully ex]cise _! rights1       
det]m9e _! life outcomes1 assume        
lead]%ip roles1 & influ5ce decision mak+
 9 h\seholds1 communities1 & societies2 
&  7#e7 to improve ! access ( wom5 &    
girls to education1 p>ticul>ly high]    
education opportunities 9 bus9ess1      
f9ance1 & managem5t1 9 ord] to enhance  
f9ancial lit]acy & bus9ess developm5t1  
managem5t1 & /rategy skills2 ,:]eas1    
pursuant to ,national ,security         
,presid5tial ,memor&um #af1 entitl$     
,promot+ ,wom5's ,global ,developm5t &  
,prosp]ity1 ,x is ! policy ( ! ,unit$   
,/ates to enhance ! opportunity = wom5  
to mean+fully p>ticipate 91 contribute  
to1 & b5efit f economic opportunities z 
individuals1 work]s1 consum]s1          
innovators1 entrepr5eurs1 & inve/ors1 s 
t !y enjoy ! same access1 rights1 &     

opportunities z m5 to p>ticipate 91     
contribute to1 control1 & b5efit f      
economic activity42 ,:]eas1 accord+ to !
 ,_w ,heal? ,organization1 global       
mat]nal mortality decreas$ by           
approximately #dd p]c5t betwe5 #aiij &  
#bjae1 yet approximately #hcj wom5 &    
girls cont9ue to die f prev5table causes
 relat+ to pregnancy or *ildbir? ea*    
day1 & #ii p]c5t ( all mat]nal dea?s    
occur 9 develop+ c\ntries2 ,:]eas1      
accord+ to ! ,unit$ ,nations ,population
 ,fund1 ( ! #hcj wom5 & adolesc5t girls 
:o die e day f prev5table causes relat+ 
to pregnancy & *ildbir?1 #ejg die ea*   
day 9 c\ntries t are consid]$ fragile   
because ( conflict or disa/]1 acc\nt+ = 
approximately #c_/e ( all mat]nal dea?s 
worldwide2 ,:]eas ! ,(fice ( ! ,unit$   
,nations ,high ,commission] = ,refugees 
reports t wom5 & girls comprise         
approximately #a_/b ( ! #fg1bjj1jjj     
refugees & int]nally displac$ or        
/ateless individuals 9 ! _w2 ,:]eas wom5
 & girls 9 humanit>ian em]g5cies1       

includ+ ^? subject to =c$ displacem5t1  
face increas$ & exac]bat$ vuln]abilities
 to-- 7#a7 g5d]-bas$ viol5ce1 includ+1  
rape1 *ild m>riage1 dome/ic viol5ce1    
human traffick+1 & sexual exploitation &
 assault2  7#b7 disruptions 9 education 
& livelihood2  7#c7 lack ( access to    
compreh5sive heal? s]vices & in=mation2 
&  7#d7 food insecurity & malnutrition2 
,:]eas malnutrition poses a v>iety (    
?reats to wom5 & girls specifically1 z  
malnutrition c weak5 _! immune sy/ems1  
mak+ !m m susceptible to infections1 &  
affects _! capacity to survive *ildbir?1
 & *ildr5 born ( maln\ri%$ wom5 & girls 
are m likely to h cognitive impairm5ts &
 high] risk ( disease ?r\gh\t _! lives2 
,:]eas x is imp]ative-- 7#a7 to         
alleviate viol5ce & discrim9ation aga9/ 
wom5 & girls2 &  7#b7 to af=d wom5 &    
girls e opportunity to be full &        
productive memb]s ( _! communities2 &   
,:]eas ,m>* #h1 #bjbj1 is recogniz$ z   
,int]national ,wom5's ,day1 a global    
day-- 7#a7 to celebrate ! economic1     

political1 & social a*ievem5ts ( wom5 9 
! pa/1 pres5t1 & future2 &  7#b7 to     
recognize ! ob/acles t wom5 face 9 !    
/ruggle = equal rights & opportunities3 
,n[1 !re=e1 be x  ,t ! ,s5ate-- 7#a7    
supports ! goals ( ,int]national ,wom5's
 ,day2  7#b7 recognizes t ! ability (   
wom5 & girls to fully access & enjoy    
fundam5tal human rights has intr9sic    
value t affects _! quality ( life &     
ability to det]m9e _! own futures2  7#c7
 recognizes t ! emp[]m5t ( wom5 & girls 
is inextricably l9k$ to ! pot5tial ( a  
c\ntry to g5]ate-- 7,a7 economic gr[? & 
self-reliance2  7,b7 su/a9able peace &  
democracy2 &  7,c7 inclusive security2  
7#d7 recognizes & honors individuals 9 !
 ,unit$ ,/ates & ar\nd ! _w1 includ+    
wom5 human rights def5d]s1 girl         
activi/s1 & civil society lead]s1 :o h  
work$ ?r\gh\t hi/ory to ensure t wom5 & 
girls are gu>ante$ equality & fundam5tal
 human rights2  7#e7 recognizes ! unique
 cultural1 hi/orical1 & religi\s        
diff]5ces ?r\gh\t ! _w & urges ! ,unit$ 

,/ates ,gov]nm5t to act ) respect &     
und]/&+ t[>d legitimate diff]5ces :5    
promot+ any policies2  7#f7 reaffirms ! 
commitm5t-- 7,a7 to end discrim9ation & 
viol5ce aga9/ wom5 & girls2  7,b7 to    
ensure ! safety1 heal?1 & welf>e ( wom5 
& girls2  7,c7 to pursue policies t     
gu>antee ! fundam5tal human rights (    
wom5 & girls worldwide2 &  7,d7 to      
promote mean+ful & significant          
p>ticipation ( wom5 9 e aspect ( society
 & community1 includ+ conflict          
prev5tion1 protection1 peacemak+1 &     
peacebuild+2  7#g7 supports su/a9able1  
measurable1 & global developm5t t seeks 
to a*ieve g5d] equality & ! emp[]m5t (  
wom5 & girls2 &  7#h7 enc\rages ! p ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates to obs]ve ,int]national   
,wom5's ,day ) appropriate programs &   
activities4