Day 47: International Women’s Day
With women disproportionately affected by the pandemic the call to resist gender-based oppression resonated this International Women’s Day. The official theme: #ChooseToChallenge.
United States President Joe Biden led the way with an Executive Order review of Trump-era policies on gender equity and the announcement of nominations for the second and third woman to lead a combatant command in the United States Armed Forces.
True inclusion cannot merely rest on the shoulders of “the first.”
“Women’s history is American history — and world history,” Biden said via statement. “…My Administration is committed to honoring women by investing in their opportunity, security, and wellbeing.” He noted, “That starts with Vice President Harris, who broke through a barrier that stood for more than two centuries.”
He established the White House Gender Policy Council to ensure womxn’s “dignity” is at the foundation of all American foreign and domestic policy.
“In our nation, as in all nations, women have fought for justice, shattered barriers, built and sustained economies, carried communities through times of crisis, and served with dignity and resolve,” Biden said. “Too often, they have done so while being denied the freedom, full participation, and equal opportunity all women are due.
He continued with a nod to how extraordinarily challenging the past year has been. “Around the world, we are seeing decades of women’s economic gains erased by this pandemic. It’s forcing millions more girls out of school, which could impact economic growth for decades to come,” Biden said. “Incidents of violence against women in their homes and communities have spiked. And, as is so often the case, Covid-19 is hitting the poorest and most marginalized women the hardest.
“These global trends damage all of us, because we know that governments, economies, and communities are stronger when they include the full participation of women — no country can recover from this pandemic if it leaves half of its population behind.”
Elsewhere on the Hill, the House hearing for DC Statehood was postponed from this week until Monday, March 22nd.
This past Saturday, the Senate passed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan with a 50-49 vote.
“On this #InternationalWomensDay, I want to honor the women who for over a year have gone to work, often risking their health, to nourish and protect us — the doctors, nurses, teachers, grocery store workers, first responders, members of the military, scientists, and many more,” Harris tweeted. “… To all the women of America: I want you to know that @POTUS and I see you. We are grateful for you.”