International: Women Thrive Applauds Introduction of Bipartisan International Violence Against Women Act

Women Thrive Worldwide applauds the introduction today of the bipartisan International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), in both Houses of the 111th Congress. This groundbreaking bill addresses for the first time the global crisis of violence against women and girls, and would apply the force of U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance toward preventing such abuse, which is estimated to affect one in three women and girls worldwide.

"Violence against women is an egregious human rights violation affecting all aspects of women's lives, from their personal health and safety to their ability to earn a living and care for their families," says Ritu Sharma, Co-founder and President of Women Thrive (www.womenthrive.org). "We urge Congress to pass I-VAWA this year to show that the U.S. is fully prepared to invest in a safer future for women; which is the best way to ensure security for all."

The bill has strong bipartisan support. 'I-VAWA's lead sponsors in the Senate include Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) along with 21 other Senators. In the House, Representatives Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) are lead sponsors and are joined by several colleagues. An event and press conference today will feature many of the sponsors, and they will be joined by two leading activists from the developing world: Humaira Shahid, legislator and journalist from Pakistan and Irene Safi Turner from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The I-VAWA supports U.S. programs that prevent violence, support health and survivor services, encourage legal accountability and change public attitudes, promote access to economic opportunity and education, and better address violence against women in humanitarian situations. It includes support for local organizations already working in their own communities. It also makes the issue a U.S. diplomatic priority and asks the U.S. government to respond to instances of mass violence against women in conflict situations within 3 months.

Women Thrive is a co-chair of a coalition of more than 200 groups, including domestic and international women's NGOs, humanitarian groups, faith-based organizations and U.N. agencies that have been advocating on the issue and have helped research and develop this innovative legislation.