An Urgent Call for Action to Stop Violence Against Women and Children
GAA released a report that documents a growing movement to eradicate violence and increase funding for effective programs.
Click here to download a PDF verson of the report.
Click here to download an MS Word version of the report.
"The fight against HIV/AIDS will fail, and the broader fight to eradicate poverty will be deeply undermined unless we can move faster from rhetoric to real action on ending violence," said Lisa Schechtman, Senior Policy Officer at the Global AIDS Alliance. "Our report shows that, backed by new research illustrating the efficacy of some programs that address violence, a growing movement is demanding faster and better action to end violence. In some cases, policymakers are starting to take notice, but they must realize that small-scale initiatives will not do the job."
Violence against women is a human rights violation that can include rape, domestic violence, acid burning, dowry deaths, so-called honor killings, female genital cutting and other damaging traditional practices, and human trafficking. Women living with HIV experience more violence over their lifetimes than women who are not HIV-positive, and women who have experienced violence may be up to three times more likely to acquire HIV. Children are also affected by violence; globally, around 20% of girls and 10% of boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse.
"It is high time that the US Congress take strong action to support global efforts to end violence," said Schechtman. "We call on members of Congress to co-sponsor the forthcoming International Violence Against Women Act, which will provide a comprehensive US response to address violence against women and girls globally. Americans concerned about this issue can do their part by letting Congress know they want to see this bill become law."
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) will authorize US support for urgently needed training, protection, and services for women in a variety of contexts, from the fight against HIV/AIDS, to schools and health clinics, to court systems, to workplaces, and to refugee camps.