March 8 is International Women's Day, but for more than one billion women worldwide, the threat of gender based violence looms large every single day of the year.
From Managua to Manila, from Cairo to Khartoum, from Nairobi to New Dehli and around the world, women and girls face appalling physical and sexual violence simply because of their gender.
For years, the International Violence Against Women Act, which would make ending gender-based violence a key element of US foreign policy, has languished in Congress.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than one third of the women on the planet will face physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. That's more than one billion people who will experience rape, domestic abuse, so-called "honor killings," female genital mutilation, and other forms of gender-based violence.
The world's women and girls can wait no longer. As a world leader, the US can and must do more to stop violence against women and girls around the globe.
Urge your US Representative and Senators to prioritize ending gender-based violence in our foreign policy by passing the International Violence Against Women Act.
Dear Decision Maker,
As someone who is concerned about the safety and equality of the world's women and girls, I strongly urge you to do whatever you can to ensure the re-introduction and passage of the International Violence Against Women Act during this Congress.
The World Health Organization estimates that more than one third of the women on the planet will face physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. That's more than one billion women and girls who will experience rape, domestic abuse, so-called "honor killings," female genital mutilation, and other forms of gender-based violence.
[Your comments will appear here]
Existing laws alone are insufficient. The US must solidify its commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
The International Violence Against Women Act would prioritize ending gender-based violence and make the equality and safety of women and girls a key priority in US foreign policy. I strongly urge you to support this important legislation.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
