A resolution designating March 8, 2006, as "International Women's Day".

Whereas there continues to be discrimination against women and women are still denied full political and economic equality;

Whereas discrimination is often the basis for violating the basic human rights of women;

Whereas, worldwide, the lives and health of women and girls are endangered by violence that is directed at women and girls simply because they are female;

Whereas women bear a disproportionate burden of the poverty in the world and constitute an estimated 75 percent of the world's poor;

Whereas, of the estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people trafficked across international borders each year for forced labor, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation, 80 percent of the victims are women and girls;

Whereas violence against women is one of the most widespread violations of human rights and it is estimated that 1 in 3 women will suffer some form of violence;

Whereas the majority of the estimated 121,000,000 children in the world who are denied a primary education are girls;

Whereas two-thirds of the estimated 875,000,000 illiterate adults in the world are women;

Whereas, worldwide, women now account for half of all HIV and AIDS cases, and in sub-Saharan Africa, young girls ages 15 to 24 are 3 times more likely to be infected with HIV than young men;

Whereas gender inequality and sexual violence are significant factors causing the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls;

Whereas HIV/AIDS is having a devastating effect on women in the United States, and it is the leading cause of death among African American women ages 25 to 34;

Whereas two-thirds of the estimated 19,200,000 refugees in the world are women and children;

Whereas, in armed conflict, women are targets of rape when it is used as a tactic of war to humiliate the enemy and terrorize the population;

Whereas it is estimated that 515,000 women die every year as a result of pregnancy and childbirth, and more than 99 percent of these deaths occur in the developing world;

Whereas countries should take steps to ensure the full participation and representation of women in political processes, conflict prevention, and peacekeeping efforts;

Whereas, over the last century, March 8 has become known as International Women's Day, a day on which people come together to recognize the accomplishments of women and to reaffirm their commitment to continue the struggle for equality, justice, and peace; and

Whereas the people of the United States should be encouraged to participate in International Women's Day: Now, therefore, be it