New legislation to battle international violence against women recently found its way to Capitol Hill – the Violence Against Women Act. It’s an unprecedented effort to address atrocities against women and girls through all relevant US foreign policy efforts.

We can’t imagine anyone thinking this legislation isn’t the right thing to do. But, would everyone agree that this legislation could actually spur international economic growth and prosperity? Or, is this just a woman’s issue?

Certainly, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Sheryl WuDunn would beg to differ, seeing the issue to be all-encompassing and quite pressing. WuDunn and her husband, New York Times columnist Nick Kristof, have shed new light on true economic worth of women in the couple’s novel, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. They write that “unlocking women’s power as economic catalysts” is a practical and much needed measure that would perhaps provide a gateway for even the poorest countries to claim their true independence.

President Obama’s Ambassador-At-Large to Women’s Global Issues, Melanne Verveer, apparently agrees. She has publicly thanked WuDunn and Kristof for their efforts. Verveer’s unprecedented appointment in and of itself, coupled with the magnitude of the new legislation speaks to the tone of this massive issue; but are the arguments denouncing gender inequity as hindering the global economy valid?

Speak out. Share your opinions. We’re eager to hear you!

And join us at this year’s Conference for Women to further examine this matter as guest speaker WuDunn will be sharing her views.