Just ahead of Mother’s Day, women received a gift. Yesterday the International Violence Against Women Act was reintroduced into the United States Senate. Jewish Women International, who published my very first article after ordination about a domestic violence prevention initiative in the Boston Jewish Community has been working together with American Jewish World Service to get this bill reformulated. JWI made this announcement:
“While we watch in horror to what is happening to the kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria, we are not helpless. There is something we can do. Yesterday, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) re-introduced the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), a bold effort that would make ending violence against women and girls around the world a top U.S. foreign policy priority.”
I am proud that my new senator, Mark Kirk is a co-sponsor. I am proud that New Englanders Senator Sheheen and Senator Collins are also on board! I am delighted that it already has bi-partisan support. I had already signed the AJWS petition urging passing of this legislation.
Why is this bill important when we already have Violence Against Women Act, which in itself was not an easy sell? As JWI says, “IVAWA takes a holistic, comprehensive approach to this issue by integrating gender-based violence programs into existing U.S. foreign aid programs such as health, education and economic initiatives. IVAWA would also permanently authorize the Office of Global Women’s Issues at the State Department and direct the government to implement its global strategy to reduce violence against women.”
American Jewish World Service has explained that until violence against women and girls is ended, they cannot end poverty. The violence has disrupted delivery supply chains. They cannot get the resources into the places that need it the most. Last year, AJWS introduced its “We Believe” Campaign which focuses on stopping violence against women, girls and the LGBT community worldwide. http://webelieve.ajws.org As they state it, the problem is that 1 in 3 women will be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime and that every year 10 million girls under the age of 18 are forced into early marriages while in 77 countries homosexuality is a crime.
American Jewish World Services works in 19 countries delivering services to prevent violence and to deliver health care. In Kenya, for instance, AJWS works with Fortress of Hope to help girls develop leadership skills and implement their own strategies to stop violence. It works to help them stay in school, avoid domestic abuse and prevent unwanted pregnancy or infection with HIV.
These kinds of activities bring us hope. They empower us to action when we felt horror. Please join with me in urging your senator to support this critical bill. That is the gift I want most for Mother’s Day.
https://secure.ajws.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=661