Monday, June 16, 2008

A Task for Senator Obama



From Letters to the Editor of the New York Times:

To the Editor:

In "The Sex Speech" (column, June 12), Nicholas D. Kristof urges Barack Obama to address women's rights issues like maternal mortality.

As it happens, Senator Obama has an opportunity right now to demonstrate his commitment to women and girls.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act is up for reauthorization. In December 2007, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill strengthening the law to enable more effective prosecution of sex traffickers. Sadly, these criminal provisions were dropped by Senators Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Sam Brownback in the trafficking reauthorization bill they recently introduced.

Senator Obama could help ensure that the Senate legislation incorporates the criminal justice provisions included in the House bill and does justice to victims of sex trafficking. Such action could go a long way in establishing his credibility with women voters.

Jessice Neuwirth
President, Equality Now
New York, June 12, 2008

Equality Now's Page on the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act

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