Menendez Joins Senators to Introduce International Violence Against Women Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today joined Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) to introduce the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), bipartisan legislation that would make reducing the levels of violence against women and girls worldwide a top diplomatic priority for the United States. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives last week, where it has garnered 17 bipartisan cosponsors.

"We are reminded daily that far from attaining equality, millions of women lack even basic security. From women enduring slavery and forced marriage imposed by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, to those facing sexual exploitation in camps where they seek refuge in South Sudan, to the hundreds of girls abducted by Boko Haram from their schools in Nigeria-- women and girls globally face a level of violence that is a moral outrage. The International Violence Against Women Act of 2015 will give our government the tools to respond more effectively to epidemic levels of violence across the globe," Senator Menendez said.

"Every day, too many women and girls across the globe face horrific violence and discrimination," Senator Boxer said. "The International Violence Against Women Act will make clear that ending gender-based violence and discrimination is a top priority for the United States, and will ensure that our government has a comprehensive strategy to promote the rights and safety of women and girls around the world."

"One out of every three women worldwide will be physically, sexually, or otherwise abused during her lifetime," said Senator Collins. "This unfortunate truth is not only a deplorable human rights violation, but a contributor to inequality and political instability, making it a security issue as well as a moral issue for us all. The International Violence Against Women Act will make ending violence against women and girls a top diplomatic priority and ensure that the Department of State has the necessary tools at its disposal to achieve this vital goal."

"The International Violence Against Women Act strengthens American-led efforts to prevent gender-based atrocities that affect one in three females around the world," Senator Kirk said. "With the Islamic State, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups mercilessly targeting women and girls, the United States, as the world's greatest force for human dignity and freedom, has a responsibility to do all it can to protect vulnerable communities from violence and discrimination."

"Too many women around the world are being denied basic human and civil rights and live in the constant fear of outright violence and oppression," Senator Shaheen said. "The International Violence Against Women Act will move us toward ending violence against girls and women globally by making this goal a top diplomatic priority. We ought to act on this critical bipartisan legislation immediately."

"We must continue to focus on combating gender-based violence whenever and wherever it occurs. The International Violence Against Women Act will ensure that this remains a top foreign policy priority of the United States, protecting the lives of women and girls, and promoting peace," Representative Schakowsky said, "I am grateful for the strong bipartisan support of my colleagues in the House and Senate, and I look forward to working together to move this legislation forward."

Specifically, the International Violence Against Women Act would:

Require the development and implementation of a 5-year U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The strategy will identify five to 20 eligible low and lower-middle income countries for which comprehensive individual country plans will be developed.

Authorize U.S. assistance to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls internationally, with at least 10 percent of the assistance provided to nongovernmental organizations or faith-based organizations--with priority given to those led by women.

Require interagency coordination, monitoring and evaluation of programs and regular briefings to Congress.

Codify in law the existing Office of Global Women's Issues within the State Department and the Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues.
Codify in law the existing Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Nearly 300 humanitarian, faith-based, human rights, refugee and women's organizations voiced their support for the International Violence Against Women Act, including: Amnesty International USA, American Jewish World Service, CARE USA, the Episcopal Church, Futures Without Violence, Human Rights Watch, International Justice Mission, Jewish Women International, the International Center for Research on Women, the International Rescue Committee, MenEngage, the Presbyterian Church (USA), Refugees International, the National Council of Churches USA, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Women's Refugee Commission, and Women Thrive Worldwide.

The co-chairs of the Coalition to End Violence Against Women and Girls Globally made the following remarks:

"We commend members of Congress from both sides of the aisle for reintroducing the International Violence Against Women Act with bipartisan support," said Esta Soler, founder and president of Futures Without Violence. "Violence against women and girls is an issue that knows no political or geographic boundaries--from forced marriage to domestic violence. With International Women's Day right around the corner, now's the time to take action and put an end to these human rights violations."

"Congress has the opportunity to say that when it comes to the global epidemic of violence against women, enough is enough," said Steven W. Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA. "Violence against women is unacceptable. This legislation is critical to helping stop violence from occurring in the first place and ensuring that women have access to justice and equality before the law when it does. The threats facing women and girls every day across the globe are very serious and very real. Congress needs to pass IVAWA quickly to help ensure that respect for women's efforts to claim their rights is just as real."

"The International Violence Against Women Act is a vitally important piece of legislation. The United States should lead the way in putting an end to physical and sexual violence against women and girls," said Dr. Patricia T. Morris, President of Women Thrive Worldwide. "It's past time that Congress prioritizes ending gender-based violence worldwide and passes this bill. In the IVAWA, the United States has a real opportunity to help end gender-based violence."

"Gender-based violence continues to be a major threat around the world," said CARE President and CEO Helene D. Gayle. "It exacerbates poverty and tears communities apart. At CARE we have witnessed both the suffering experienced by survivors of unspeakable violence, as well as the cost to critical U.S. investments in health, education, economic empowerment and food security. The bipartisan International Violence Against Women Act is an important tool for the U.S. as it works to combat gender-based violence and will help to support vital programming in the 84 countries where CARE works."

"We cannot rest until every woman and girl around the world is protected against unconscionable acts of violence by groups like Boko Haram, and we praise bipartisan leaders of Congress for joining together to demand action," said Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service. "We must do all we can to stop this deadly global epidemic of violence against women and girls, and passing the International Violence Against Women Act is an important step forward to making this a priority for the United States government. We applaud the Senators and Representatives introducing this critical piece of bipartisan legislation for understanding the gravity of this threat and standing up to protect women and girls."

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