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Ranking Member Shaheen, Senator Collins Lead Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing International Women’s Day

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing March 8, 2025, as International Women’s Day. The resolution celebrates the achievements of women and girls around the globe and underscores the significant barriers that still stand in the way of women’s full equality and empowerment.   

“Women’s strength and determination is evident across the globe as they fearlessly and tirelessly advocate for their rights, drive economic development and defend democracy,” said Ranking Member Shaheen. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with Senator Collins. This resolution reaffirms our nation’s belief that the equity, equality and empowerment of women and girls must be a policy priority here in the United States and around the world.” 

“On International Women’s Day, we honor the achievements of women who have blazed trails and broken barriers in every field of endeavor,” said Senator Collins. “At the same time, we recognize that millions of women and girls around the world face growing oppression and violence, denying them the freedoms and opportunities they deserve. Today is an opportunity to reaffirm our enduring commitment to work toward a world that guarantees basic human rights and values the contributions of women of all ages.” 

Specifically, the resolution reaffirms the advancement of women around the globe as a U.S. foreign policy priority and emphasizes that women throughout the world: 

  • Have human rights that must be respected by all countries; 
  • Must have meaningful protection and opportunities to more fully participate in the political, social and economic lives of their communities; 
  • Play a critical role in providing and caring for their families; 
  • Contribute substantially to  prevention and resolution of conflict, and the sustainablity of peace and stability; and 
  • Play an important role in economic growth and the advancement of food security for their communities. 

Full text of the International Women’s Day resolution is available here. 

Ranking Member Shaheen and Senator Collins have led the International Women’s Day resolution in the U.S. Senate since 2011. The Senators previously reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). This bipartisan bill would ensure that combating gender-based violence around the world remains a top diplomatic and development priority for the United States. In April 2022, Shaheen and Collins traveled with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) to the UN to discuss how the U.S. and international community can best support women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Following a horrific terror attack on a girls’ school in Kabul, Shaheen and Collins led a bipartisan resolution urging international support for Afghan women and girls. 

Shaheen has long championed the rights of Afghan women and girls and leads Senate efforts to bolster congressional support for the human rights of women and girls around the world. Shaheen is the author of the Women, Peace and Security Act, which was signed into law in 2017 and ensures women’s leadership roles in conflict resolution and peace negotiations. She has also led bipartisan efforts to address the unique barriers young girls in developing countries face in accessing a full education. 

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