Help Pass IVAWA and Help to End Violence Against Women
From the time we are old enough to face bullies, have cooties and be pushed down for being a girl -we are told to stand up for ourselves. I’m sure little boys are instructed to “be tough” as well, but as little girls, it’s always stressed to not follow the crowd, stand up for what we believe, and to be who we are against all odds. And if someone happens to come around, either a 10-year-old boy with freckles who wants to push us around, or our boyfriend who raises a hand to us when we’re sixteen, we know it is our right and our duty to stand up for ourselves and against violence. However, not every little girl in every country is taught to value herself and to stand up against brutality. These children and women need the help of others to find the right tools and education to live safely and freely. Together, we can make a difference and help not only ourselves, but women across the globe to have equal rights and security in their homes and countries. The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) was reintroduced into the House and the Senate on Feb. 4, and if passed, will fund violence prevention programs around the world and elevate ending violence against women and girls as a top diplomatic priority. To help pass this act and make your congress leaders stand up for safety, protection and education of women of the world, you can team up with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)’s Say No-UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign. By visiting the campaign’s website, chicks can sign a petition and view links to additional resources concerning violence against women. All of UNIFEM’s efforts will be compiled with other organizations around the world fighting to end violence against women to help pass IVAWA. Urjasi Rudra, the Coordinator for Say NO -UniTE to End Violence Against Women, took some time to talk to ChickSpeak and share why it’s so important to get involved with the campaign efforts: ChickSpeak: Why is it important for IVAWA to pass? Urjasi Rudra:The International Violence against Women Act, when passed, will incorporate solutions that have proven to work towards ending violence against women into U.S. foreign assistance programmes. Solutions such as, programmes and funds to support local women’s groups, change public attitudes, promote women’s economic empowerment and protect women and girls in humanitarian situations. Although IVAWA is a U.S. legislation, it will impact women and girls worldwide. Click here to hear from an activist on the ground why IVAWA is important to her. CS: How will this change life for women across the world? UR:U.S, foreign assistance impacts women and their communities across the world. The IVAWA makes ending violence against women a diplomatic priority for the United States and integrates this work into the foreign assistance programmes. IVAWA would ensure increased funding and coordinated approach towards anti-violence work at a time when the issue has reached pandemic proportions, affecting up to 70 percent women globally. CS: How can young women get involved with this campaign? UR:You can all help make IVAWA a reality for the millions of women whose lives will be impacted by this legislation. The Bill has been just reintroduced into the House and Senate of the U.S. Congress. The Congress needs to hear from you that this issue is important for you, and that you support this initiative. There’s a range of things that you can do: Show your support for the IVAWA - add your name to this petition. If you are a US resident, urge your Senator and/or Representative to co-sponsor the IVAWA. Take action here. Get and share the IVAWA Widgetwith your blogs, websites and social media networks - let others know how they can help! Blog and tweet about it to spread the word: #ISayNOto VAW and support the IVAWA Other Resources Concerning IVAWA: AI USA on How will women be helped if this legislation is passed? Women Thrive Worldwide on What will IVAWA do? Amnesty International has case studies and FAQs on their website Lindsay Tigar is the Editor-at-Large for ChickSpeak, and signed the petition to help end violence against women all around the world, and hopes all chicks will too. Regardless if you are a woman or know who a woman who has been a victim of violence, ending brutality against women is one fine way to stand up for every chick. Special thanks to Hugh McMullen from FENTON Communications and Urjasi Rudra from Say NO- UNiTE to End Violence Against Women.
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