Schakowsky Introduces Bill To Prevent And Respond To Gender-Based Violence Worldwide

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, introduced H.R. 5267, the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) of 2019, with 123 original cosponsors. Congresswoman Schakowsky first introduced this legislation in 2012. The bill leverages existing U.S. resources to combat and respond to gender-based violence, a critical step toward promoting the human rights and dignity of all individuals as well as regional and global stability. November 25, 2019, is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, kicking off 16 days of activism that will conclude on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

"The United States must lead in advancing progress toward a future with less gender-based violence and greater equality around the world. The International Violence Against Women Act would guarantee we have a Gender-Based Violence Strategy that puts victims and survivors first,"said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "By integrating the work of the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development, this bill would make the eradication of violence against women a central piece of the U.S. foreign policy agenda and ensure that gender-based violence prevention and response are included in all our humanitarian efforts around the globe. The historic number of original cosponsors of this legislation indicates that our new Democratic Majority understands we must take action to prevent and respond to outbreaks of violence against women and girls abroad."

IVAWA codifies a comprehensive plan for U.S. efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence around the world. The bill:

Permanently establishes the Office of Global Women's Issues in the U.S. Department of State to develop and implement a cohesive, cross-agency effort to advance the status of women and girls globally. The Office does this by offering guidance in diplomacy; providing support and resources for programs that advance the status of women and girls globally; and serving as a subject-matter expert through policy guidance.
Codifies the Obama Administration's Gender-Based Violence Strategy to ensure that victims and survivors of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices around the world have better access to services, protection, and the justice they deserve.
Updates and enhances emergency response mechanisms for outbreaks of violence against women and girls abroad.
Ensures that gender-based violence prevention and response are included in all U.S. humanitarian efforts.
Does not authorize new spending and instead focuses current resources more efficiently and effectively.
Violence against women is a global epidemic. According the World Health Organization, 1 in 3 women around the world has experienced physical and/or sexual violence during her life. There are no social, geographic, economic, religious, or cultural boundaries to violence against women and girls. Addressing violence against women and girls improves not only their health and wellbeing but also social and economic outcomes. Furthermore, the United Nations estimates that 132 million people will need humanitarian assistance and protection in 2019 as a result of conflict and natural disasters. Gender-based violence, particularly against women and girls, is greatly exacerbated in humanitarian emergencies; the Trump Administration's efforts to gut foreign assistance and humanitarian aid around the world have only made matters worse.

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