“Violence against women is on the rise around the world,” Delahunt said regarding Wednesday’s hearing. “It is time to examine what the Congress, the Obama Administration and United Nations (UN) can do to stem this growing tide of violence.”
The World Health Organization estimates that violence against women causes more disability and death among women aged 15 to 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war. Violence against women also impedes a country’s economic stability, creates security threats for neighboring countries and the international community – as oppression and weak governance go hand-in-hand.
Before serving in Congress, Delahunt was the Norfolk County District Attorney and worked tirelessly on women’s issues. As D.A., he developed the nation’s first domestic violence unit to prosecute domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
At Wednesday’s hearing, the panel expects to hear from Actress Nicole Kidman, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Goodwill Ambassador, Breakthrough Founder and Executive Director, Mallika Dutt, U.S. State Department Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer, and Co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).
Immediately following the hearing, Delahunt and Kidman will host a media availability in Room 2200 of the Rayburn House Office Building to give interested members of the press an opportunity to ask questions to hearing participants.
DATE: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
TIME: 2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT: International Violence Against Women: Stories and Solutions
WITNESSES:
Panel I
The Honorable Janice D. Schakowsky
U.S. House of Representatives
Panel II
The Honorable Melanne Verveer
Ambassador-at-Large
Office of Global Women’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
Panel III
Ms. Mallika Dutt
Founder and Executive Director
Breakthrough
Ms. Nicole Kidman
Actress
UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador
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