Senator Barbara Boxer at the introduction of I-VAWA, joined by Senator John Kerry and Representatives Bill Delahunt, Ted Poe, and Jan Schakowsky

On February 4, Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) joined Representatives Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) to introduce the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) to both Houses of the 111th Congress. The bipartisan bill would authorize the development of a 5-year strategy to “reduce, prevent, and respond to violence against women and girls around the globe,” expanding on a goal of the Obama Administration to address violence against women as a component of American foreign policy.

In his remarks, Senator Kerry said that I-VAWA has “crucial, long-term importance,” and will serve to strengthen national security by promoting peace and stability abroad. He went on to say that women are “peacemakers and change agents” who should no longer be suppressed by gender-based violence that currently affects 1 in 6 women internationally. While acknowledging that some of his colleagues are weary of authorizing additional funds at this time, Kerry stated that support for I-VAWA and investment in the eradication of violence against women “will reduce expenditures in so many other ways.” Pledging his support for the legislation, Kerry said:

“societies that do respect and empower women are all around healthier…[which] makes all of us safer.”

Representative Delahunt echoed his colleague, expressing his support for a bill that will not only reduce violence against women globally, but also “make the world more stable and less prone to conflict.” He added that female education has proven critical to the eradication of extremism.

Senator Boxer recognized the efforts of former Senator and current Vice President Joe Biden, who authored the Violence Against Women Act, passed in 1994. Noting that there is not merely a “moral dimension” to ending violence against women, Boxer cited evidence that societies with less incidence of gender-based violence tend to be more prosperous.

“Women are engines of peace and prosperity…”

Representative Poe spoke of violence against women as having “no border,” saying that addressing violence must be a feature of American foreign policy in order to “promote the human right of women to dignity.” He went on to add that I-VAWA and the initiatives surrounding the legislation will contribute to the creation of a world where it is “culturally and legally unacceptable to assault someone because she is a woman.”

Representative Schakowsky thanked the efforts of advocate organizations and women’s rights NGOs, insisting that a “grassroots strategy” is needed to ensure the passage of I-VAWA. She added that it should not matter “whether a girl is born in the United States, Afghanistan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo…[she] should not have to fear gender-based violence.”

In a moving statement from Humaira Shahid, a member of the Punjab Provincial Assembly in Pakistan who has worked to pass unanimous resolutions to protect women from acid attacks and other forms of violence, the activist stated:

“I am the voice of the woman who is battered. I am the voice of the woman who is attacked with acid…I also speak as a woman who stands up against violence.”

Humaira said of I-VAWA, “it has my sweat and blood in it, too,” for she represents the countless advocates for women’s rights around the world. She stated adamantly that women are the “key agents to counter insurgency,” and societies in which there is less violence against women are more tolerant and prosperous societies.

Irene Safi Turner, a human rights activist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, expressed her support for I-VAWA and spoke about the use of rape as a “low cost, low tech” tactic of war in her home country. Turner said that the passage of I-VAWA would serve as a signal of encouragement to women around the world who advocate for an end to violence.

I-VAWA is currently supported by 21 Senators and 27 Representatives. Vital Voices proudly joins hundreds of NGOs as an I-VAWA Coalition member in support of the passage of this important legislation.

Introduction of the International Violence Against Women Act - U.S. Department of State