Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the reintroduction of the Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act of 2021. This bill will ensure women and girls in refugee camps are able to access bathrooms without fear of violence.

Refugees awaiting resettlement are fleeing conditions like war, violence, and persecution. While many hope to find safety in temporary refugee camps, violence and insecurity can also follow, especially for women and girls. Women are at a greater risk of experiencing sexual assault and violence if they do not have separate bathrooms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, refugees are even more vulnerable and even more in need of secure access to sanitation.

The measure would remedy this problem by ensuring recipients of U.S. aid provide safe and secure access to sanitation facilities, with a special emphasis on women and girls, and vulnerable populations.

Women and girls deserve and need sanitation facilities that are safe and free from harm. It is disheartening that today's refugee camps create conditions that allow sexual assault and violence to occur. This is why I am leading this legislation with Congressman Zeldin to ensure women, girls, and other vulnerable populations have access to safe and secure restrooms. Last Congress, this bill unanimously passed the House of Representatives. I urge my colleagues to support this measure so that it can finally be signed into law.

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