The epidemic of rape and sexual violence in the war-torn country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a humanitarian catastrophe.
The urgency of the crisis cannot be overstated.
Armed groups are effectively using sexual violence as a weapon of war and destruction, inflicting grievous physical, psychological and social harm on women, children and entire communities.
The physical and emotional harm these women and girls face is staggering, and they rarely find the medical and psychological care they so desperately need. While the perpetrators of these horrific crimes move with impunity to their next victims, whole communities live in constant fear of the next wave of violence.
The International Violence Against Women Act (S.2279) would significantly increase U.S. commitment to ending gender-based violence in the DRC and around the world. By passing the IVAWA, we will take a significant step toward addressing this type of violence in the DRC and other crisis regions around the world.
Dear [Decision maker],
As your constituent and a supporter of CARE, I am writing to strongly urge you to support the International Violence Against Women Act (S.2279).
You may have heard of the "epidemic of rape" in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Every day, women are kidnapped, raped, beaten and even killed by armed men. By passing the IVAWA, we will take a significant step toward addressing this type of violence in the DRC and other crisis regions around the world.
The IVAWA represents U.S. commitment to eliminating violence against women globally. It will integrate policies that help prevent and reduce gender-based violence into existing U.S. foreign assistance and development programs.
I encourage you to learn more about this issue and support legislation to help stop global violence against women. The current situation in the DRC proves that the time to pass this legislation is now.
[Your comment]
Thank you very much for your time and attention, and please support any and all efforts to eliminate violence against women worldwide.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
