Support the International Violence Against Women Act!
Violence against women is a human rights violation and a worldwide pandemic—approximately one out of every three women worldwide is beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. You can join Tahirih and take part in this international campaign against gender violence by urging your Senator and Representative in Congress to co-sponsor the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA). I-VAWA is groundbreaking, bipartisan legislation that prioritizes innovative approaches to ending violence against women such as promoting women’s economic opportunity, addressing violence against girls in school, engaging men, and challenging public attitudes that condone violence.
For many of us, reports on international violence against women seem distant and incomprehensible. On any given day, horrifying stories appear in the news: the systematic rape of women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, acid attacks on women in Afghanistan and Pakistan, brutal beatings and rapes of women targeted by Guinean soldiers suppressing a political demonstration. Sadly, these shocking incidences of violence are not isolated occurrences but a cruel reality for one third of the world’s women. No country is immune – the violence crosses all borders and affects women of all ages, social groups, religions, and classes. The hope that I-VAWA would offer women around the world includes:
- Increased efforts to prevent violence against women during conflict and in humanitarian settings
- Legal reform and commitment to finding perpetrators and bringing them to justice
- Strengthened capacity of organizations supporting survivors and providing vital services
- Expanded economic and educational opportunities that would reduce the vulnerability of women at risk of violence
On February 4, 2010 I-VAWA was reintroduced in the 111th Congress and its co-sponsors include Representatives Poe (R-TX), Delahunt (D-MA), and Schakowsky (D-IL); and Senators Kerry (D-MA), Snowe (R-ME), Boxer (D-CA) and Collins (R-ME). We need to build even stronger bipartisan support and momentum for this legislation. So please begin reaching out to your Senators and Representatives now to take action and help transform the lives of women and girls around the world.
Tahirih has been advocating for the passage of I-VAWA since it was first developed by Women Thrive Worldwide, Amnesty International USA, the Family Violence Prevention Fund and members of Congress. Please show your support by visiting www.amnestyusa.org/ivawa, www.womenthrive.org/ivawa, or www.endabuse.org to take action now!
