Violence against women is a major cause of poverty and a huge barrier to economic opportunity throughout the world, not just here in the U.S.  It keeps women from getting an education, working, and earning the income they need to lift their families out of poverty. It impedes economic development because it can prevent girls from going to school, or stop women from holding jobs or inheriting property, or shut down access to critical health care for themselves and their children.  Efforts to wipe out AIDS and other diseases are compromised when women are beaten for telling their husbands they are infected.  Girls are less likely to attend school when they fear being raped by their teachers.  And research shows that giving women in poor countries economic opportunity empowers them to escape abusive situations.
            The good news is that violence against women is gaining in worldwide recognition and could be prevented successfully by actions taken by our leaders.  The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), is a groundbreaking piece of legislations that, if passed, would incorporate these solutions into existing U.S. foreign assistance programs. It would support local women’s organizations overseas that are working to to end violence against women in their countries. By promoting women’s economic opportunity, addressing violence against girls in school, and working to change public attitudes, the I-VAWA could have a huge impact on reducing poverty -  freeing women in poor countries to lift themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty.   The I-VAWA (S.2279) was introduced in the U.S. Senate on October 31, 2007 by Senator Joseph Biden (D-Delaware) and Senator Richard Lugar (R-Indiana), the authors of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, 2000 and 2006.  (”VAWA”)

“The International Violence Against Women Act marshals together, for the first time, coordinated American resources and leadership to address this global issue.  I believe the time is now for the United States to get actively engaged in the fight for women’s lives and girls’ futures, and we must begin by preventing and responding to the violence they face,” added Sen. Biden.
 
“We cannot expect to reduce poverty and decrease the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS until we have more equitable treatment of women in developing countries.  Empowered and educated women are the key to breaking these cycles,” said Sen. Lugar.
 

           It was developed by the lead sponsors in conjunction with the Women’s Edge Coalition (Edge), Amnesty International USA (AIUSA), the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), and the help of organizational partners. It is the result of joint efforts from several national women’s organizations, politicians and the United Nations.   Throughout the world, violence against women and girls is perpetrated within marriage and families by husbands, intimate partners and relatives; within communities by strangers and traditional leaders; in the workplace; across international borders as women are trafficked for sex and labor; and as a tool of war by military forces.

          The United States must continue to invest in a world where women feel safe in their homes, on the streets and at their jobs. This will enable them to build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. Countries can take critical steps in ending violence against women by improving women’s status in society, enforcing laws to protect women and prosecute perpetrators, and offering treatment for women. The United States has the responsibility, has a global leader, to take very critical steps in ending violence against women by:
                     Increasing women’s economic empowerment and education
                     Increasing women’s access to health care
                     Improving security in humanitarian and crisis situations
                     Promoting legal reforms and social norms to address gender-based violence

The bill includes three major provisions to fight violence against women.

1.  It would create a central Office for Women’s Global Initiatives to coordinate US policies, programs, and resources that deal with women’s issues.
2.  It requires a 5-year comprehensive strategy to fight violence against women in targeted countries and provides $172 million a year to support programs that fight violence against women.
3.  It mandates training, reporting mechanisms and a system for dealing with women and girls afflicted by violence during humanitarian, conflict and post-conflict operations.

 

We can fight domestic violence globally and effect change collectiveyly! 

SO TAKE ACTION NOW.  VISIT http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/ to sign the petition to pass this very important legislation!