On International Women’s Day, President Biden made a statement. He took the opportunity to denounce a number of nations for suppressing women’s rights.

In a statement, Biden said that while this Wednesday is a celebration of the successes and contributions of women and girls around the world, there are still instances of women’s rights being violated severely in a number of nations, and that these ongoing issues are preventing development in “entire communities.”

In addition to the violence women experience as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Biden also called attention to the repression of women’s rights in Afghanistan and Iran.
“We see it in Iran, where the regime brutally silences the voices of women who bravely advocate for their rights,” Biden continued. “And we see countless stories of women bravely fighting for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Ukrainians in the face of Russia’s vicious and unjust invasion of Ukraine, including the use of rape as a weapon of war,” the statement continued.

In addition, Biden said that the United States will continue to support women and girls worldwide in an effort to advance and defend human rights, adding that his administration will continue to work with “dedicated partners and local communities in every part of the world to expand economic security for women and girls.” Examples of these initiatives include defending healthcare access, preserving women’s political participation and human rights, and promoting the full participation of women in all spheres of society.