Rep. McBride and Secretary Hillary Clinton Urge Global Action to Defend Human Rights at Munich Security Conference

Munich, Germany - Today, Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, joined global leaders and former U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton for a town hall discussion at the Munich Security Conference on the global state of human rights and the impact of democratic backsliding on protections for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and reproductive freedom amidst the global rise of authoritarianism.

"There is no question in the United States that-after decades of historic progress on gender equality writ large, and specifically more recently on LGBTQ rights- we are facing a well-organized, well-funded, right-wing regressive movement," McBride began. "At the end of the day; transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, and sexism are all rooted in the same prejudice. The belief that one perception at birth should dictate who you are, how you act, what you do, who you love, and how you dress. That is why threats towards trans women are threats toward all women."

The panel brought together global leaders and advocates, including Neil Datta, Executive Director and Founder of the European Parliamentary Forum on Sexual and Reproductive Rights; Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo; and Denis Mukengere Mukwege, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Founder of Panzi Hospital and Foundation. The discussion was moderated by Secretary Clinton, now Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.

"We have to understand right now that gender equality is a barometer of democratic stability. And a strongman's greatest asset is scarcity. When there is scarcity in jobs, when there is scarcity of opportunity, they pick boogeymen and they blame them." McBride continued. "They blame the immigrant. They blame the trans person. Now, increasingly, what we're seeing is they're not just blaming the immigrant or the trans woman-they're blaming all women."

The conversation focused on five key areas: the global state of human rights; coordinated efforts to roll back established protections; the targeting of women's rights and other vulnerable communities; how democratic backsliding paves the way for authoritarianism; and strategies to build stronger alliances in defense of fundamental freedoms. Rep. McBride emphasized that defending human rights abroad, especially women's rights and fundamental freedoms, begins with strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding equal rights at home.

"Right now, we are facing this global struggle between democracy and authoritarianism. We know that things are going to have to change. We know that we are in a new chapter. But, we have to preserve, while reforming, the global institutions that have helped to protect freedom and democracy." McBride noted.

"We have to protect NATO. We have to protect the United Nations. We have to protect the Trans-Atlantic alliance. We've got to restore international aid from the U.S. government to help rebuild some of these NGOs that have been decimated. We have to recommit to building the infrastructure so that we guarantee that we don't find ourselves in this situation again. So that we don't underestimate the challenges that we face, and how precious our progress actually is."

The Munich Security Conference comes at a moment of profound strain on democratic institutions and transatlantic relations. The conference allows leaders to examine current cooperation between nations, the future of critical alliances such as NATO, and the durability of the rules-based world order that has helped preserve peace and prosperity for generations.

As a freshman member of Congress and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. McBride's participation in the Munich Security Conference reflects her commitment to advancing policies that preserve American leadership abroad while delivering results for Delaware.

Excerpt recordings and pictures from the town hall can be found here, and the full recording of the town hall can be found here.

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