Global gender priorities for 116th Congress

As the Members of Congress in the 116^th set their policy priorities for the year ahead, the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) released an open letter to Congress, urging members to continue the U.S. government’s prior leadership on global gender equality issues, outlining core priorities for U.S. foreign policy and assistance that will ensure that global efforts to address the needs of the most marginalized are effective.

The letter was endorsed by nearly 120 organizations from across the health, economic development, human rights, humanitarian relief and social justice spectrum who collectively serve millions of individuals globally and who are committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of women, girls and LGBTI individuals. The open letter notes that, all too often, the experiences of women, girls, and LGBTI people have been at the margins of U.S. foreign policy. These omissions have not allowed these populations equal ability to access and enjoy economic, educational, social and political opportunities in development or humanitarian settings.

“When U.S. assistance and diplomacy excludes people on the basis of gender or sexuality, it is indeed less effective,” said Lyric Thompson, ICRW’s Director of Policy and Advocacy. “Investments in the health and well-being of women, girls and other marginalized people help policy priorities in all areas.”

ICRW, along with its partners, hopes to see increased attention to global gender issues in the 116^th Congress.

Click here to read the letter to Congress on Gender Priorities for the 116^th Congress.