Tell Your Senators to Support the I-VAWA Act! (S. 2279)

[Triana]

Advance Legislation That Will Reduce Violence Aimed At Women And Girls

Introduced by Senator Biden and Senator Lugar on October 31, 2007, the International Violence Against Women Act (S. 2279) is a historic and unprecedented effort by the United States to address violence against women globally. The law would make ending violence against women a diplomatic priority for the United States and create the first high-level position in the U.S. Department of State to coordinate efforts to combat violence against women. It will also make sure that the U.S. is able to develop emergency measures in a timely fashion to respond to critical outbreaks of violence against women, such as to address the mass rapes in the armed conflict in the Congo.

The Act recommends allocating more than $1 billion over 5 years in U.S. assistance to support international programs that prevent and respond to violence, including health programs and survivor services, legal reform, public awareness campaigns, women's economic opportunity projects and education, and activities to better address violence against women in humanitarian situations.

The inspiring thing about this legislation is that it incorporates training, protection, and services for women across a range of situations, from the fight against HIV-AIDS, to school and health clinics, to court systems, to workplaces, to refugee camps. It also supports the efforts of local women's groups overseas that are already working to end violence against women in their countries.

Call your Senator today, and tell him or her that you want them to sign on as co-sponsors of this bill, S.2279. It's simple:

* Call 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Senator. (If you don't know who they are, you can find out at www.senate.gov.)
* Tell their office that you are a constituent, and you care about the well being of women and girls around the world.
* Urge them to cosponsor S. 2279, International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).
* If you feel so moved, share one reason why this issue matters so much to you.

One easy phone call can help bring safety, security, and new options in life to women and girls worldwide.

If you prefer to email, go to http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_contact_senators.htm

CLICK BELOW to see a model letter to Senators to co-sponsor:
http://ga4.org/ct/ud_wP0M1nmoE/letter

CLICK BELOW to see a model Thank You letter to Senators Biden and Lugar
http://ga4.org/ct/u7_wP0M1nmoU/thankyou

[gateley]

1. Thanks for posting this - I'll give my Senators - Dole and Burr -- a call. As

usual, with no faith they'll pay any attention. I also call the Senate Candidates, or Dennis if it's the House, to let them know WE'RE WATCHING.

Won't have to call Biden on this one, though! :hi:

[Triana]

2. call 'em anyway...at least they'll know people are paying attention...

...even if we are "only" a bunch of women.

Biden is HUGE advocate for women. Bless him! And Lugar too!

Tx for the 5th rec! :)

[gateley]

3. I must say that every time I do call, their staffs are exceedingly polite and nice. nt