ATLANTA — The global poverty fighting group CARE hailed the bipartisan Senate introduction of the International Violence Against Women Act, which makes ending violence against women and girls a top U.S. diplomatic priority.
The bill number S. 2307 was introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Robert Menendez, D-NJ, Mark Kirk, R-Ill., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH.
This legislation — known as IVAWA– would require the Secretary of State to implement a comprehensive interagency strategy to address gender based violence and raise the profile of efforts within the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Studies have shown one in every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or abused in some other way. Often times, it is by someone she knows, including by her husband or another male family member. This violence leaves survivors with long-term psychological and physical trauma and tears away at the social fabric of communities. This violence has a terrifying effect in conflict settings where women and girls are the main target.
“Violence against women and girls continues to occur around the world at epidemic proportions,” said Dr. Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. “At CARE we have seen the pain endured by survivors of violence as well as the tremendous cost to vital U.S. investments in international development. The International Violence Against Women Act is an important tool for the U.S. as it works to address gender-based violence, and it will help to support the ongoing efforts of countless advocates and activists in developing countries around the world.”
About CARE:
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor girls and women because, equipped with the proper resources, they have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. Last year CARE worked in 84 countries and reached more than 83 million people around the world. To learn more, visit www.care.org.
Media Contacts
Washington, D.C.: Stephanie Chen, CARE, schen@care.org, (Office) +1-202-595-2824, (Cell) +1-404-819-6638