Onwuka’s full testimony can be found HERE once the hearing begins.


WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patrice Onwuka, director of the Center for Economic Opportunity at Independent Women’s Forum, will testify in front of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at 10 a.m. ET tomorrow, March 3, on missing BIPOC women and girls.

The hearing, entitled “The Neglected Epidemic of Women & Girls,” will examine the disproportionate rates by which BIPOC women and girls go missing — and what can be done to address this serious problem.

Onwuka, the only minority witness, will testify alongside majority witnesses: Ms. Natalie Wilson, founder, Black and Missing Foundation; Ms. Angel Charley, executive director, Coalition to Stop Violence against Native Women; and Mr. John E. Bischoff, III, vice president, missing children division at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

In her testimony, Onwuka writes, “Finding all missing persons, but especially girls and women of color should be a top priority. However, we should also engage in solutions that prevent them from disappearing.”

Those solutions include:

  • Increased funding for law enforcement.
  • School choice and educational opportunities for young women from disadvantaged communities.
  • Greater private resources to community-based, grassroots organizations that are working to strengthen families and address problems like addiction, homelessness, violence, and unemployment.
  • And greater media attention to the stories of all missing persons, not just a few.

Onwuka’s full testimony can be found HERE once the hearing begins.

### 

www.iwf.org

Independent Women’s Forum is dedicated to developing and advancing policies that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance people’s freedom, choices, and opportunities.