A statement issued by the White House noted that the United States “recognizes the resilience of survivors of violence and advocates for a future where women and girls can live free of violence, fear and abuse.” The United States also commits, along with other countries, to “prevent and respond to this abhorrent violation of human rights wherever and whenever it occurs.”
Biden noted that despite the measures taken, gender-based violence continues to cause pain and injustice to so many people around the world. “Approximately one in three women in the world will experience physical violence, rape or harassment at some point in her life. “This is outrageous,” the statement said. “Around the world, especially in conflict zones, countless women and girls suffer at the hands of perpetrators of gender-based violence who use rape as a weapon of war.”
The US president also emphasized that violence “disproportionately affects” women and girls from historically marginalized communities, including people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.
According to him, despite a series of laws and measures taken, including by his administration, the work is still far from finished. “We know what is at stake: where women and girls are threatened, peace and stability are also threatened,” the statement said. “That is why today—and every day—the United States stands with victims of gender violence. And together with our partners, we will continue to work tirelessly to create a future where victims are believed, perpetrators are held accountable, and violence against women and girls is no longer acceptable.”
