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The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is proposed legislation to address violence against women through United States foreign policy. It was introduced to the 110th and 111th United States Congress but was not passed into law.
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At least 1 in 3 women around the world are subject to sexual, physical or other abuse during their life, per estimates by the United Nations Development Fund for Women. Not only does violence against women prevent mothers from raising healthy children, it also affects the economic progress and stability within the country in which they live.[1]
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) (S.2982, HR. 4594) was introduced by the 110th United States Congress to ensure that violence against women is included in the nations foreign policy, with best practices for preventing violence, protecting victims and prosecuting offenders.[1]
The legislation was the result of efforts by:
Experts in related fields from 40 international and 150 U.S. groups provided input for the legislation.[1]
The House of Representatives Bill (HR. 4594) was brought before the 111th United States Congress, sponsored by Representative William Delahunt, Massachusetts's 10th congressional district and 134 co-sponsors, but it never made it further than its assignment to a committee.[2] The Senate Bill (S.2982), introduced by Senator John Kerry and 35 co-sponsors, made it through committee but was never brought before the Senate for a vote. The next step would be for the legislation to be reintroduced to a following United States Congress.[3]
Several organizations have petitions calling for the re-introduction of the bill to the 112th United States Congress.[4][5]
Many organizations support the I-VAWA Act, some of which are: