International Women’s Day an Opportunity for Biden to Fulfill Commitments to Refugee Women and Girls

March 5, 2021

Please see below statement from Refugees International Senior Advocate for Women and Girls Devon Cone:

“President Biden’s presidential campaign committed to a wide range of actions that if taken, would help protect, empower, and assist marginalized women and girls around the globe. As we celebrate International Women’s Day this Monday, the Biden administration has an opportunity to make good on some of these commitments.

While it is time for the Biden administration take action, its agenda must include refugee and internally displaced women. These women are amongst the most vulnerable populations in the world. They cannot be left behind.

As we observe International Women’s Day, Refugees International calls on the Biden administration to:

Issue an update to Executive Order 13623, “Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls Globally”

Establish a Presidential Task Force to Prevent and Respond to GBV Globally (PTF), composed of senior-level staff from relevant agencies

Allocate adequate funds to fully implement the newly announced EO on violence against women and girls globally

Appoint a new Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the State Department who has experience addressing challenges faced by displaced women and girls and who will prioritize their needs and hear their perspectives

Create a senior advisor position within the U.S. Mission to the United Nations dedicated to women’s issues, including concerns particular to displaced women and girls

Encourage Congress to support all bills that meaningfully assist refugee women including The Safe From the Start Act, the Support UNFPA Funding Act, the Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act, and the International Violence Against Women Act

These immediate steps could make a difference for the more than 40 million displaced women and girls living around the world today.”

For more information, see “Critical Policy Advice for President-elect Biden: A Comprehensive Approach for Displaced Women and Girls,” by Devon Cone.

To arrange an interview with Devon, contact Sarah Sheffer at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org or +1 202 540 7029.

Photo Caption: A woman stands through the doorway to her home in the Shati camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza City on February 21, 2021. (Photo by Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)