NEW HAVEN, CT—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) released the following statement today congratulating the winners of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize. The winners, Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi have been tireless advocates for children’s rights around the globe.
“I want to congratulate Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi for winning the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize today. This tremendous honor is a testament to their continued efforts to fight for children’s rights around the world.
“Despite being shot by the Taliban in 2012, Ms. Yousafzai remains a fierce and outspoken advocate for girls’ education and is a source of inspiration for us all. As the Founder of the Save the Children Mission and Chairperson of the Global March Against Child Labor, Mr. Satyarthi has dedicated his life to end child labor and free children from trafficking, saving over 75,000 children since 1980.
“We must continue to build upon the efforts of these courageous individuals and fight to give a voice to the most vulnerable members of society. Every child has the right to go to school and get an education and we must make sure our children are protected from all forms of exploitation.”
Earlier this month, DeLauro’s staff met with Mr. Satyarthi to discuss efforts to raise awareness around ending child slavery and putting an end to the commercial exploitation of children.
According to The Child Labor Coalition, an estimated 168 million children labor around the world – some are forced to be child soldiers and others are exploited and trafficked for sex. The Department of Labor has identified 134 goods sold in the United States that are produced with forced or child labor in 70 countries.
DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the Department of Education and the Department of Labor. She is a longtime advocate for increasing access to education, ending child trafficking and strengthening U.S. and international labor laws.
Last October, DeLauro introduced a resolution committing Members of Congress in the fight against domestic trafficking. That resolution, declaring “Our Daughters Are Not For Sale,” currently has 84 cosponsors, from both sides of the aisle. It condemns child trafficking and sexual exploitation, and encourages law enforcement to help victims and end these practices for good.
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