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Senators to Introduce International Violence Against Women Act

In the wake of the ongoing crisis in Nigeria, Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Jean Shaheen (D-NH) will reintroduce the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) in the U.S. Senate.

Following is a statement from Ritu Sharma, Cofounder and president of Women Thrive Worldwide, about the importance of passing IVAWA now:

“No single piece of legislation can end the ongoing violence and abuse that women and girls experience around the world. But the International Violence Against Women Act would improve U.S. response and send a powerful message about our commitment as a nation to a safer, freer world for women and girls.

“It took roughly three weeks for the U.S. to announce some concrete action to help bring back the more than 270 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by terrorist militants. The International Violence Against Women Act would compel a more immediate and effective response.

“April’s horrifying abductions in Nigeria have rightly grabbed the world’s attention. But the awful truth is that rapes, trafficking of girls, domestic abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence are happening each and every day all over the world.

“Some 35 percent—more than one in three—women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime.
“Let’s put that in perspective: About 1.2 billion sisters, daughters, mothers, friends, and partners will experience gender-based violence. There were barely that many people alive on the whole planet in 1865.

“The good news is that today’s bipartisan Senate re-introduction of the International Violence Against Women Act demonstrates growing momentum to address the world’s most persistent and pervasive human rights abuse.

“If the IVAWA were in place before these girls were taken at gunpoint from their school, the U.S. government would have been compelled to respond more immediately and effectively.

“Passing IVAWA would bolster homegrown programs around the world that change the cultural norms that condone or excuse violence against women.  As the online campaign #BringBackOurGirls has demonstrated so powerfully in the last week, change starts from the ground up.

“Passing IVAWA would also create greater accountability and would—by extension—improve the effectiveness of U.S. programs to promote equality for women and girls.

“Passing IVAWA would tell the world in loud, clear terms that the U.S. is serious about challenging the systemic denial of women’s humanity. As a nation and world leader, it’s a statement we need to make. And we need to make it now.

 “Congress must pass IVAWA this session, and we’re hopeful that they will.

— Source: Women Thrive Worldwide