Ending Violence Against Women

Chairing the first ever UN Security Council to address violence against women

Under the UN Charter, the 15 members of this Council bear primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Now, satisfying that responsibility includes... the lives and physical security of all people, including the women who comprise half the planet's population.
— United Nations Headquarters, September 30, 2009

Congressional Action

The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) was introduced in Congress on February 4th, by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer and Representatives Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). It is currently supported by 21 Senators and 27 Representatives, as well as hundreds of non-governmental organizations. The bipartisan bill would authorize the development of a 5-year strategy to “reduce, prevent, and respond to violence against women and girls around the globe,” supporting the work of Secretary Clinton and the Obama administration on these issues.

I-VAWA would require the U.S. government to respond to outbreaks of gender-based violence in armed conflict - such as the mass rapes now occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo - in a timely manner. It would encourage investment in local women's organizations, expanding opportunity and enabling women and girls to live healthier, safer lives. I-VAWA can strengthen our national security by promoting peace and stability abroad.

Resources

• Background information
• UNIFEM
• World AIDS Campaign Factsheet: “Seven things the world can do to end violence against women"
• Triple Jeopardy: Female Adolescence, Sexual Violence, and HIV/AIDS