Jan SchakowskyVerified account

Every year on #InternationalWomensDay, we pause to take stock of the work we’ve done to improve life for women and girls around the world and to recommit ourselves to conquering the many obstacles that are left.

Today, following a particularly tumultuous year for women, we have many achievements to celebrate and a lot of work ahead of us.

This year, women made their voices heard when they spoke out against sexual abuse, harassment, and all forms of sexual violence in what came to be known as the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements

High profile cases drove the conversation and encouraged victims and survivors to come out of the shadows. Now we must harness the incredible energy of those movements and make sure that we protect all women from this scourge.

Low-income women, women of color, and undocumented migrants are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, especially in the workplace.

Another massive challenge facing women around the world is the unparalleled refugee crisis that rages on in virtually every corner of the world. Like most crises, the mass displacement brought on by conflict and strife is uniquely & disproportionately affecting women & girls.