On February 5, Senator Barbara Boxer announced the newest addition to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Subcommittee on International Operations and Organizations, Human Rights, Democracy and Global Women’s Issues.

This is the first standing committee in Congress dedicated in part to women’s issues.

The subcommittee’s duties include:

1. Responsibility for all matters involving international operations and organizations, democracy and human rights
2. General oversight of the U.S. State Department, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the U.S. Foreign Service, and public diplomacy and United States participation in the United Nations, and other international organizations
3. Oversight responsibility for U.S. policy in promoting democracy and human rights abroad

One of seven subcommittees, it has 10 members including Chairman Boxer and ranking minority member Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

The subcommittee has already held a number of important hearings including “Confronting Rape and Other Forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones” on May 13 and “Confronting Rape and other Forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones Spotlight: DRC and Sudan” on May 19.

On March 24, the subcommittee confirmed the nomination of Vital Voices Co-Founder and former CEO Melanne Verveer to the new position of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues.

With the attention of Congress turned toward women’s issues, the subcommittee will likely consider a number of key pieces of foreign relations legislation.

Some upcoming bills to track include:

1. S.230: International Women’s Freedom Act of 2009. A bill to express United States foreign policy with respect to, and to strengthen United States advocacy on behalf of, individuals persecuted and denied their rights in foreign countries on account of gender, and for other purposes.
2. S. 987: International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009. A bill to protect girls in developing countries through the prevention of child marriage, and for other purposes.
3. S. 1425: Global Resources and Opportunities for Women To Thrive Act of 2009. A bill to increase the United States financial and programmatic contributions to promote economic opportunities for women in developing countries.

Vital Voices looks forward to the attention the subcommittee will bring to women’s issues around the world.

Sources: Boxer Press Release and Thomas