International Violence Against Women Act
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
to ensure that violence against women is included in the nations foreign policy, with best practices for preventing violence, protecting victims and prosecuting offenders.
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.
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. 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.
Several organizations have petitions calling for the re-introduction of the bill to the 112th United States Congress
.
Violence against women
Violence against women is a technical term used to collectively refer to violent acts that are primarily or exclusively committed against women...
through United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
foreign policy. It was introduced to the 110th
110th United States Congress
The One Hundred Tenth United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2009, during the last two years of the second term of President George W. Bush. It was composed of the Senate and the House of...
and 111th United States Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
but was not passed into law.
Background
At least 1 in 3 women around the world are subject to sexualSexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
, physical
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is abuse involving contact intended to cause feelings of intimidation, injury, or other physical suffering or bodily harm.-Forms of physical abuse:*Striking*Punching*Belting*Pushing, pulling*Slapping*Whipping*Striking with an object...
or other abuse
Abuse
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; wrongful practice or custom; offense; crime, or otherwise...
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.
International Violence Against Women Act
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) (S.2982, HR. 4594) was introduced by the 110th United States Congress110th United States Congress
The One Hundred Tenth United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, between January 3, 2007, and January 3, 2009, during the last two years of the second term of President George W. Bush. It was composed of the Senate and the House of...
to ensure that violence against women is included in the nations foreign policy, with best practices for preventing violence, protecting victims and prosecuting offenders.
The legislation was the result of efforts by:
- Amnesty International USAAmnesty International USAAmnesty International USA is one of many country sections that make up Amnesty International worldwide.Amnesty International is an organization of more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in over 150 countries, with complete independence from government, corporate or national...
- Family Violence Prevention FundFamily Violence Prevention FundFutures Without Violence is a US-based 501 nonprofit focused on ending domestic and sexual violence...
- Women Thrive Worldwide.
Experts in related fields from 40 international and 150 U.S. groups provided input for the legislation.
The House of Representatives Bill (HR. 4594) was brought before the 111th United States Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
, sponsored by Representative William Delahunt
Bill Delahunt
William D. Delahunt is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Delahunt did not seek re-election in 2010, and left Congress in January 2011. He was replaced by Norfolk County District Attorney Bill Keating...
, Massachusetts's 10th congressional district
Massachusetts's 10th congressional district
Massachusetts's 10th congressional district is a political constituency that includes parts of the South Shore of Massachusetts, and all of Cape Cod and the islands. With a population of 635,901 and a land area of , it is the most populous of Massachusetts's ten congressional districts and the...
and 134 co-sponsors, but it never made it further than its assignment to a committee. The Senate Bill (S.2982), introduced by Senator John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
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.
Several organizations have petitions calling for the re-introduction of the bill to the 112th United States Congress
112th United States Congress
The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January...
.
Organizations
Many organizations support the I-VAWA Act, some of which are:- Amnesty International USAAmnesty International USAAmnesty International USA is one of many country sections that make up Amnesty International worldwide.Amnesty International is an organization of more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in over 150 countries, with complete independence from government, corporate or national...
- Human Rights WatchHuman Rights WatchHuman Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
- International Center for Research on WomenInternational Center for Research on Women-Focus areas:ICRW research identifies women's contributions to their communities and the barriers – like HIV, violence, and lack of education – that prevent them from being economically stable and able to fully participate in society...
- International Rescue CommitteeInternational Rescue CommitteeThe International Rescue Committee is a leading nonsectarian, nongovernmental international relief and development organization based in the United States, with operations in over 40 countries...
- Jewish Women International
- Men's Resources International
- Refugees InternationalRefugees InternationalRefugees International is a humanitarian organization supporting refugees and stateless people. It publishes annual reports, as well as approximately twenty-five field reports throughout the year on refugee issues, as well as comments on international aid issues around the world...
- Vital VoicesVital VoicesVital Voices Global Partnership is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization that works with women leaders in the areas of economic empowerment, women's political participation, and human rights. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C..-History:The nonprofit Vital...
- Women's Refugee Commission
See also
- Child Protective ServicesChild Protective ServicesChild Protective Services is the name of a governmental agency in many states of the United States that responds to reports of child abuse or neglect. Some states use other names, often attempting to reflect more family-centered practices, such as "Department of Children & Family Services"...
- Domestic violenceDomestic violenceDomestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
- Futures Without Violence
- Rape cultureRape cultureRape culture is a term which originated in women's studies and feminist theory, describing a culture in which rape and sexual violence against women are common and in which prevalent attitudes, norms, practices, and media condone, normalize, excuse, or tolerate sexual violence against women...
- Relationship EducationRelationship EducationRelationship education presents and promotes the principles and practices of premarital education, relationship resources, relationship restoration, relationship maintenance, and research-based marriage preparation.-History:...
- Violence Against Women ActViolence Against Women ActThe Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is a United States federal law. It was passed as Title IV, sec. 40001-40703 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, , and signed as by President Bill Clinton on September 13, 1994...