Women’s Equality Day Celebrated

            ALICIA A.G. LIMTIACO, U.S. Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), was invited to speak at the Women’s Equality Day 2015 event coordinated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Guam Field Office and held on August 26, 2015, at the Guam Field Office in Tiyan.  The theme of the event was “95^th Anniversary of Women Winning the Vote,” which acknowledged and celebrated the 1920 passage of the 19^th Amendment of the Constitution, granting women the right to vote, as well as women’s continuing efforts toward full equality. 

            In his proclamation for Women’s Equality Day, President Barack Obama stated, “Women’s equality is a core civil and human rights principle in the United States and around the world.  Across America, women are contributing to our economy and our Nation in innovative and exciting ways.  From businesses to battlefields, women are vital to the prosperity and security of our country.  As we celebrate the last 95 years of progress in advancing women’s rights, let us rededicate ourselves to the idea that our Nation is not yet complete: there is still work to do to secure the blessings of our country for every American daughter.”

            U.S. Attorney Limtiaco shared information on the Pacific Regional Response to Combat Human Trafficking Initiative (the “Initiative”), which is a collaborative effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Districts of Guam and the NMI; the U.S. Department of State Office’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons; the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs; the U.S. Department of Labor; the Guam Human Trafficking Task Force; the NMI Human Trafficking Intervention Coalition; and other community partners.  U.S. Attorney Limtiaco also discussed the intersection and relationship between human trafficking, sexual assault, child abuse and domestic and family violence, and prevention and enforcement efforts in the Pacific region. 

            The Initiative employs a multi-disciplinary model, including participation, coordination, and collaboration among law enforcement, prosecution, victim service providers, social services, medical, mental and public health professionals, faith based organizations, educational institutions, Consulates, and other community stakeholders.  The Initiative calls for the establishment and provision of victim services, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking, community outreach/public awareness and prevention programs, and the creation of human trafficking task forces and coalitions in the Pacific region island communities.  The Initiatives also provides fundamental training in human trafficking, including victimization, investigation and prosecution, prevention efforts, and other related topics to government and community partners in our Pacific region island communities, which is critical to effective prevention and enforcement efforts in the region.

U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco addressing the attendees at the
Women’s Equality Day Event

Field Office Director Stephen P. Green presenting a certification
of appreciation to U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco.