HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

134

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

Expressing support for the global action and investments for new success for women and girls act.

 

 

WHEREAS, targeting international women's issues in the context of the global economy, the Global Action and Investments for New Success for Women and Girls Act (GAINS Act) was introduced on March 8, 2002 in the U.S. Congress by Representatives Constance Morella and Nita Lowey; Senator Olympia Snowe is expected to introduce the bill in the Senate; and

WHEREAS, the GAINS Act is intended to aid millions of women and girls worldwide by increasing U.S. financial and program assistance in the areas of education and training; family planning; HIV prevention and treatment; maternal and children's health; human rights; and economic inequities for women and girls in developing countries; and

WHEREAS, the comprehensive GAINS Act supports our commitment to stop poverty and help women around the world by targeting investment in areas that are critical to economic development and the success of women, including:

(1) Women and development;

(2) Poverty reduction and women's economic equality;

(3) Quality education for women and girls;

(4) Lifelong health for women and girls;

(5) Women, agriculture, and food security;

(6) Human rights for women and girls;

(7) Violence against women and girls;

(8) Women, conflicts, and peace building;

(9) Women's leadership and participation;

(10) Women and the environment;

and

WHEREAS, it is crucial to support the passage of the GAINS Act to improve the lives of the eighty per cent of women and girls who live in poor developing countries or "transitional economies" of countries like Korea and the former Soviet Union; and

WHEREAS, in developing countries, women make up seventy-five per cent of the work force in the major sphere of economic activity of these countries, with their enterprises generating new jobs and increasing incomes faster than most other sectors; and

WHEREAS, investment in women's and girls' development has been shown to aid economic growth; and

WHEREAS, passage of the GAINS Act would improve not only the lives of women and children worldwide, but also their husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, that this body expresses support for helping women and girls living in poverty by increasing U.S. financial and other assistance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of Hawaii's congressional delegation are urged to co-sponsor and support the GAINS Act, and work to ensure its passage in Congress; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of the State of Hawaii, Hawaii's congressional delegation, and the Chairperson of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

GAINS for Women and Girls Act