Shaheen, Rubio, Menendez, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Central American Women and Children

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Central American Women and Children Protection Act to address the protection and safety of women and children in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. The bipartisan legislation seeks to decrease and deter violence against women and children in the Northern Triangle and provide victims a path to the support and shelter they need. The bill would also enhance the performance and capacity of justice system officials in Central America, including police, prosecutors and courtroom personnel, to provide a coordinated and victim-centric response to crimes of violence against women and children.  

“Women and children in Central America are among the most vulnerable populations in the Northern Triangle, facing alarming rates of crime, violence and impunity,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Central American Women and Children Protection Act provides important resources to strengthen criminal justice systems in Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. The bill helps combat and prevent violence against women and children, ensure survivors have the resources they need and bolster social and economic development in these nations. Advancing the rights of women around the world is key to achieving global stability and prosperity, and will continue to be one of my top priorities as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.”

Text of the legislation can be found here.