Stop Violence Against Women - Human Rights Watch

US: Take Action to Stop Violence Against Women

Every day, millions of women and girls across the world are beaten and abused. They are someone’s mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Many are abused in their homes by members of their family or community. Others are raped or harassed by the very security forces that are meant to protect them. Some victims of gender-based violence are employed outside their homes, some are not. Some are rich, some are poor. Some are literate, some are not. They have only one thing in common: they are female, and they are abused because of it.

The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is a major step in the effort to end violence against women and girls across the globe. It directs the U.S. government to create a comprehensive, 5-year strategy to reduce violence in 10-20 diverse countries identified as having severe levels of violence against women. Ask your Senator and Representative to co-sponsor this bill today! Learn More.

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Dear (recipient name),

I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), S. 2279 and H.R.5927.  I-VAWA directs the U.S. government to, for the first time, scale up its efforts to end violence against women and girls in a manner that matches the seriousness of this problem.
 
Every day, millions of women and girls across the world are beaten and abused. They are someone’s mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends.  Many are abused in their homes by members of their family or community.  Others are raped or harassed by the military forces that are meant to protect them or opposition armed groups.
 
As my elected official, I am asking that you support making violence against women a diplomatic priority for the United States by co-sponsoring the International Violence Against Women Act. This legislation is very important because it will:
 
- Create the first U.S. State Department coordinator working specifically on Violence Against Women;
 
-Develop strategies in 10-20 countries for U.S. programs to address violence against women and girls;
 
-Integrate best practices on addressing such violence into existing U.S. foreign assistance programs;
 
-Fund international programs that prevent violence, support health programs and survivor services, encourage legal accountability, promote access to economic opportunities and education, and better address violence against women in humanitarian crisis situations;  
 
-Develop emergency measures to respond to a mass outbreak of violence against women and girls in armed conflict, like mass rape;
 
-Prevent sexual exploitation and abuse by U.S. personnel overseas by creating training and accountability mechanisms
 
-Expand U.S. financial support for overseas non-governmental organizations working to end violence against women and girls.
 
I look forward to hearing from you regarding your position on the I-VAWA.

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