Help Pass the Historic International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA)
Violence against women and girls represents a global health, economic development, and human rights problem of epidemic proportions and cuts across all countries, social groups, ethnicities, religions, and socioeconomic classes. Now, for the first time, the United States has an historic opportunity to raise this issue in its diplomatic work and have an impact on the suffering of millions of women and girls.
After decades of silence and inaction, finally, there is one bill that will bolster US efforts to end violence against women across the world – the International Violence against Women Act (I-VAWA, S.2279 in Senate). It is critical that this important human rights legislation receive broad bipartisan support. So at this time we are asking you to contact your Republican Senators in the following states and encourage them to become official I-VAWA co-sponsors.
If you are in the following states, call your Republican Senator and ask him or her to cosponsor the I-VAWA, S.2279
Target States: AK, ID, ME, MN, NC, NE, NH, OH, SC, TN, TX, UT, WY
You can get through to your Senator by contacting the Senate Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and asking to be connected directly with the Senate office you request.
TALKING POINTS FOR YOUR CALL
- The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) would coordinate and improve U.S. government efforts to stop the global crisis of violence against women and girls, if it becomes law.
- Violence against women destabilizes countries and impedes economic progress and stability.
- Violence against women is a tremendous human rights problem around the world. It includes rape, domestic violence, acid burning, dowry deaths, “honor killings,” human trafficking, female genital cutting and more. Experts estimate that up to one in three women will be beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetimes, with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries.
- I-VAWA is designed to give victims of violence more assistance, hold perpetrators accountable, and support new efforts to change social norms that support or condone violence.
- The legislation would create a five-year strategy and funding to support the rule of law and prevent and respond to violence against women in 10-20 poor to middle income countries. It will expand the U.S. Government’s ability to address gender-based violence issues with foreign governments as part of its diplomatic relations.
- I-VAWA integrates efforts to end violence against women and girls into existing, appropriate U.S. foreign assistance programs with a special emphasis on supporting the overseas women’s groups that work each day to stop violence.
- I-VAWA enables the U.S. Government to develop a faster and more effective response to violence against women in armed conflicts and humanitarian emergencies.
- Passing I-AWA is essential if the U.S. is to take a more coordinated and effective stand against violence that harms so many women and girls worldwide and will help support economic progress and stability in 10-20 poor and middle income countries.
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For more information on this and other actions in AIUSA's SVAW campaign, visit amnestyusa.org/women
Past "Campaign to Stop Violence Against Women" Columns:
Amnesty International USA is the US section of AI - the international worldwide human rights organization with 1.8 million members in 100 countries. AIUSA has over 350,000 members organized into professional networks, and student and community chapters. You can find out which of our administrative regions you live in and contact our offices if you wish to join a local chapter visit www.amnestyusa.org. You can join the SVAW campaign, get our monthly women’s human rights online bulletin and join the Women's Human Rights Action Network by visiting www.amnestyusa.org/women. We look forward to working with you.
