This Mother’s Day, What More Can be Done to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls Globally?

The International Violence Against Women Act introduced yesterday in the Senate would make legislation ending violence against women a diplomatic and foreign assistance priority for the U.S. government (Photo Credit: Sarah K. Eddy).

The eyes of the world are currently focused on Nigeria and the efforts to free the nearly 300 schoolgirls currently held captive by Boko Haram. The abduction of these girls is yet another deeply disturbing example of the ways in which violence against girls and women affects every aspect of their lives, in this case, their right to education.

Even as we work to #BringBackOurGirls in Nigeria, we continue to press for a permanent solution to end violence against women and girls globally.

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate took an action that would help.

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) reintroduced the International Violence Against Women Act in the Senate. Introduced in a bipartisan manner earlier this year in the House, the bill would also make legislation that would make ending violence against women a diplomatic and foreign assistance priority for the U.S. Government.

The bill supports measures to prevent violence, protect survivors, and bring perpetrators to justice, in addition to strengthening the speed and effectiveness of response of the U.S. Government to violence against women in humanitarian emergencies and conflict situations. The law would also build the capacity of women’s non-governmental organizations to address violence against women and girls.

When passed, IVAWA will be a huge step forward in the U.S government’s commitment to ending this global scourge. Every woman and girl has the right to live a life free from violence and access all of her human rights, including the right to education.

When 1 in 3 women worldwide will beaten, raped, coerced into sex, or otherwise subject to physical violence during her lifetime, it’s clear that this is a global human rights crisis of epic proportion. This crisis knows no borders or nationalities, it occurs in peace and in conflict, in Nigeria and right here in the United States.

This mother’s day, help Amnesty turn one in three to none in three by taking action to support the International Violence Against Women Act. Because only a global effort can end a global issue.

After you visit BringBackOurGirls.Tumblr.com to leave a message of solidarity for the Chibok girls, take action to pass IVAWA and learn more about women’s human rights.

Sample Tweets:

Everyone has #humanright to be free from #violence. #IVAWA introduced in Senate, join @amnesty & tell Congress 2 act! www.aiusa.org/ivawa

This mother’s day, I’m taking action @amnesty to help end violence against women. Join me! Tell Congress pass #IVAWA www.aiusa.org/ivawa