On October 31, 2007, Senator Biden and Senator Lugar introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA, S.2279), a bill that would help empower millions of women to escape violence and poverty, to the US Senate. The I-VAWA, if passed, would consistently incorporate solutions for reducing violence against women into US foreign assistance programs.
Violence against women is a major cause of poverty and a huge barrier to economic opportunity—it keeps women from getting an education, working, and earning the income they need to lift their families out of poverty. 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 preventable and that there are proven solutions that work. The I-VAWA, 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 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 was developed by Women’s Edge Coalition, Amnesty International USA, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and members of Congress with the help of organizational partners. It was drafted in consultation with more than 150 groups including US-based NGOs, UN agencies and forty women’s groups across the globe. Please support this important piece of legislation by signing the petition.
