In reaction to the passage of the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act by Congress today, Aria Grabowski, Oxfam America’s senior policy advisor for aid and development finance, made the following statement:
“In a world in which 104 countries prevent women working in certain jobs, it is critical that the United States works to address barriers to women’s economic empowerment. Today, Congress has taken a positive step forward by passing the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Act.
“This bipartisan legislation not only takes steps to make sure women around the world have more ability to exercise their right to work and partake in the global economy, but it also continues to add to the list of US legislation that identifies obstacles women face in the world, recognizes the power they bring to solve global challenges, and pushes US foreign assistance effort to embody these ideals.
“With this passage, Congress is taking another important step forward in ensuring that women are fully included in our world, minimizing some of the barriers that keep them from achieving their full potential. Gender equality is critical to creating a more prosperous world. If gender parity would be achieved, $28 trillion could be added to the global economy - $9 trillion more than the GDP of the United States.
“We are grateful for the leadership of Rep. Royce (R-CA) and Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA], Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY], Rep. Wagner, Ann (R-MO) Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL], as well as Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Marco Rubio (R-FL), and we urge President Trump to sign it into law as quickly as possible.”