Global Women
It has been estimated that nearly a billion women globally will be beaten, raped, mutilated or otherwise abused during their lifetimes—that is 1 in 3 women. In some countries up to 70% of women and girls are affected by violence. In countries with armed conflict, rape has been used as a weapon of war to intimidate and destabilize entire communities.
Combating violence against women is a critical step toward promoting regional and global stability. Women's rights are human rights, and all women deserve to live a life free from violence, intimidation, and fear.
I support the expansion of protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence. Ensuring that immigrant women are able to leave their abusers and aren't forced to stay because of threats of deportation, or because they are afraid to come out of the shadows has been a long-time focus of mine.
I also support a comprehensive strategy to combat violence against women and girls abroad. The U.S. State Department needs new tools ranging from health programs and survivor services to legal reforms to promoting economic opportunities and education for women.
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To finish out the legislative year in Washington, the House of Representatives voted on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill authorizes a staggering $886 billion in new spending for the Department of Defense. Our greatest security threats have no military solutions, and it is time our budget reflected that. Therefore, I could not, in good faith, support its final passage.
This past week, I had the immense privilege of traveling to Nairobi, Kenya on a bipartisan trip with 17 of my Congressional colleagues. Africa’s unprecedented population growth will impact geopolitics, global trade, migration, and almost every aspect of life. By 2050, 1 in 4 people on Earth will be African. As policymakers, we have a duty to learn as much as we can about this booming continent.
Last week, I had the unique responsibility of questioning the CEO of TikTok when he came before the Energy and Commerce Committee. It is clear to me that in most ways, TikTok is like all the other Big Tech companies. They can use Americans’ data any way they want. Exclusively banning TikTok would be letting Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms off the hook and would leave our consumers and our children unprotected. We need a comprehensive data privacy bill.
This week, I was excited to begin welcoming guests to my new office in the Rayburn House Office Building. Now, I have a magnificent view of the United States Capitol. I am so appreciative to my staff who worked so hard to make this move happen. If you are ever in Washington, please come by and check out my wonderful new space!
WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, introduced the Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (WISE) Act, alongside U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), which will protect immigrant survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and gender-based violence.