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Protection Bill

On May 6, 2003, Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE), John McCain (R-AZ), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Christopher Dodd (D-CT), John Kerry (D-MA), Hilary Clinton (D-NY), and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) introduced the "Women and Children in Conflict Protection Act of 2003." The Bill creates a $45 million Women and Children's Protection Fund to support new initiatives that promote the security of and provides access to basic services for women and children who are refugees, displaced person or living in conflict zones. The bill also requires the U.S. government to develop an integrated strategy for protecting women and children and designates a protection coordinator in the U.S. government to oversee U.S. efforts to protect women and children in conflict settings.

If passed, the "Women and Children in Conflict Protection Act" would prohibit aid to any humanitarian agency that has not adopted a code of conduct to protect beneficiaries from sexual exploitation and abuse and would urge all agencies implementing humanitarian assistance programs to review and revise their camp administration programs to create a safer and more secure environment for women and children. Furthermore, the bill would provide additional access to micro-enterprise programs and other activities that promote the empowerment of women and children affected by conflict.

Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY) introduced identical legislation (H.R. 2536) in the House of Representatives on June 19, 2003.

Full text of the Women and Children in Armed Conflict Protection Act (S. 1001).

For additional information on the bill from our member agencies, please visit the following websites:

International Rescue Committee/Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children

Save the Children

InterAction Congressional Briefing on "Protecting
Refugees and the Displaced"

InterAction recently held a briefing for congressional staff on issues around "Protecting Refugees and the Displaced," in conjunction with Senator Joe Biden of Delaware, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The briefing featured a panel of experts on international protection issues, including representatives from the American Red Cross, Save the Children, the Women's Commission for Refugee Women & Children/International Rescue Committee, and the U.S. General Accounting Office.

Learn more about the "Protecting Refugees and the Displaced" congressional briefing.