When NASW works on issues involving women and girls, you may be tempted to think of it in a domestic context; equal pay for equal work and reproductive choice are two common examples. However, we must bear in mind the international aspects of our work in this area as well.
The White House recently rolled out their National Security Strategy, and it contains important priorities for the rights of women and girls. On page 46, the Administration notes that “countries are more peaceful and prosperous when women are accorded full and equal rights and opportunity.” Ironically, NASW has urged the United States to heed this advice and eliminate the pay gap between the genders (women make roughly 20% less than men in the U.S.). In addition to this abstract language, the Administration also discusses specific issues such as human trafficking, education, employment, and micro-financing to aid women around the globe.
NASW’s advocacy in this area may start here at home, but the influence of our work extends abroad. We continue to press the United States to show leadership in this realm not just domestically, but internationally as well.
To learn more about NASW’s work on international issues, visit http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/intl/default.asp More information on U.S. foreign assistance can be found under the Issue Areas heading.
