Women Thrive Worldwide

Help End Violence Against Women: Sign the IVAWA Petition

Imagine a world where bruises and broken bones no longer keep mothers from caring for their children...
Imagine a world where women can go to work without fearing violence in the workplace...
Imagine a world where girls can get an education without being abused by their teachers...

Imagine a world without violence against women...

Imagine a world where women are free to thrive

Violence against women is a major cause of poverty and a huge barrier to economic opportunity. In addition to being an extreme human rights violation, it keeps women from getting an education, working, and earning the income they need to lift their families out of poverty.

The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), if passed, would consistently incorporate solutions for reducing violence against women into U.S. foreign assistance programs.

The I-VAWA has been developed by Women Thrive Worldwide (formerly the Women's Edge Coalition), Amnesty International USA, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, and members of Congress with the help of organizational partners. It was drafted in consultation with more than 150 groups including U.S.-based NGOs, U.N. agencies and 40 women's groups across the globe.

Add your voice to the thousands of Americans who have taken a stand with women worldwide: Sign the IVAWA Petition!

Dear Congressperson,

We call on you to support the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA), a groundbreaking piece of legislation that would incorporate and make consistent efforts to reduce violence against women and girls in U.S. foreign assistance programs. 

Violence against women is a cause of poverty and a huge barrier to women's economic opportunity - it can keep women from getting an education, working, and earning the income they need to lift their families out of poverty. Moreover, research has shown that giving women in poor countries economic opportunity empowers them to escape and prevent violent situations. In Kerala, India, for example, a study showed that only 7 percent of women who owned property suffered from physical violence, compared to 49 percent of women with no property. The United Nations Development Fund for Women estimates that one in three women around the world will be beaten or abused in her lifetime. If the U.S. wants its efforts to reduce poverty to be as effective as possible, this has got to stop.

By promoting women's economic opportunity, addressing violence against girls in school, encouraging legal reform, working to change public attitudes, and supporting health programs and survivor services, especially in crisis situations, the I-VAWA could have a huge impact on improving the effectiveness of our foreign assistance programs and reducing poverty.

Women in poor countries already face enough barriers to lifting their families out of poverty. Violence should not be one of them. Please join us in supporting women's opportunity worldwide by supporting the International Violence Against Women Act. 

Sincerely,

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The I-VAWA was developed by the Women's Edge Coalition, Amnesty International USA, the Family Violence Prevention Fund and members of Congress with the help of organizational partners. It was drafted in consultation with more than 150 groups including U.S. -based NGO's, U.N. agencies and 40 women's groups across the globe.