FUTURES Applauds Congress on the Re-introduction of the Violence Against Women Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Brisbo, Futures Without Violence
Lbrisbo@futureswithoutviolence.org
415.678.5619
FUTURES Applauds Congress on the Re-introduction of the Violence Against Women Act
Legislation to prevent gender-based violence worldwide receives unprecedented bipartisan support in 2015
SAN FRANCISCO (March 11, 2015)—Today, the United States Senate re-introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (S.713), a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at preventing violence against women and girls across the globe. The announcement follows the House of Representative’s re-introduction of the bill (H.R.1340) last week in conjunction with International Women’s Day.
“This is the strongest bipartisan support we’ve seen to date,” said Esta Soler, founder and president of Futures Without Violence. “We commend members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for reintroducing this critical piece of legislation. From forced and early marriage to domestic violence, this is an issue that knows no political or geographic boundaries.”
The Senate re-introduction is sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The House of Representatives re-introduction is sponsored by Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL ), Susan Brooks (R-IN), David Cicilline (D-RI), Chris Collins (R-NY), Jeff Denham (R-CA), Ted Deutch (D-FL), Chris Gibson (R-NY), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Joe Heck (R-NV), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Patrick Meehan (R-PA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Aaron Schock (R-IL), Adam Smith (D-WA), Niki Tsongas (D-MA), and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL).
The World Health Organization estimates that one out of every three women worldwide will be physically, sexually, or otherwise abused during her lifetime—with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries. The International Violence Against Women Act seeks to make the prevention of global gender-based violence a United State foreign policy priority. The bill would, for the first time, codify a comprehensive approach to fight violence against women and girls across the globe.
“From kidnappings in Nigeria to so called honor killings in Afghanistan, what is happening across the globe is devastating,” said Soler. “By supporting programs on the ground, implementing better policies, and improving women’s access to education and economic opportunities, legislation like the International Violence Against Women act can help break the cycle of violence throughout the world.”
Futures Without Violence is a leading proponent of the bill, and as co-chair of the Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls Globally, has worked closely with lawmakers, advocates, partner organizations, and survivors to inform the strategy to end gender-based violence globally and ensure it becomes the cornerstone of United States diplomatic and development work.
To learn more about the International Violence Against Women Act, visit: http://bit.ly/letspassivawa.
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Futures Without Violence
Futures Without Violence is a national nonprofit organization leading groundbreaking educational programs, policies, and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. Providing leadership from offices in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Boston, the organization has trained thousands of professionals and advocates–such as doctors, nurses, judges, athletic coaches, and other community influences–on improving responses to violence and abuse.
