Bill seeks action to curb brutality against women globally

[babylonsister]

Bill seeks action to curb brutality against women globally

By Lauren French | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Bipartisan legislation that would mandate a comprehensive plan to combat violence against women worldwide is poised for a potential congressional vote, marking tough new action by the United States on a problem that's commonplace across the globe.

Among other things, the bill would increase U.S. aid to 20 nations that take concrete action to curb brutality against women.

One of the original sponsors of the House of Representatives' version, Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., has said that passing the bill is an important step toward protecting women worldwide and advancing U.S. security interests.

Delahunt "believes that while (the legislation) addresses violence against women, it goes further and is a strong statement that says that any violence is unacceptable, both in the home, where violence against women is often a root cause of other violent crimes, as well as among nations," Delahunt's press secretary, Rory Sheehan, said Monday.

Since the act was introduced last February, the House and the Senate versions have gained traction in both parties: The House version has 118 co-sponsors and the Senate version has 30. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations will debate and amend the act Wednesday morning.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/08/02/98500/bill-seeks-action-to-curb-brutality.html

[msongs]

1. good thing we don't have violence against women in the USA. yeah right nt

[vaberella]

6. Uh, this is globally and don't we have laws in the US that protect violence against women?!

Even last week Obama just signed a bill to protect American Indian Women from violence. I don't understand why you're being snide. It's uncalled for.

[niyad]

7. talk to your local domestic violence center and find out how worthless those laws are.

[vaberella]

9. Those laws are not worthless---they are not enforced and we need to bring that injustice to light.

However, the laws are not worthless.

[provis99]

2. just sounds like a sneaky way to give military aid to Columbia and Israel.

What a nonsense piece of legislation.

[babylonsister]

4. "The legislation would cost $50 million over five years."

That's from the article, and I'm sure would buy tons of aid. :eyes:

Sometimes, what you see is what you get.

[ProSense]

5. Women, unless they live in the U.S., are irrelevant, I guess. n/t

[vaberella]

10. That's the idea it seems. n/t

[laconicsax]

3. I find it ironic...

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan legislation that would mandate a comprehensive plan to combat violence against women worldwide is poised for a potential congressional vote, marking tough new action by the United States on a problem that's commonplace across the globe.

Which is exactly why we're fighting a war to help prop up a government that instituted a http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6798358.ece">law condoning rape to shore up conservative support for a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_presidential_election,_2009">fraudulent election.

Just to be clear, I do appreciate Delahunt's efforts, and his vote against the latest bill to funnel billions of dollars into supporting the aforementioned government.

[ProSense]

8. Live Chat with CARE: Passing the International Violence Against Women Act

Live Chat with CARE: Passing the International Violence Against Women Act

One of the greatest challenges to empowering women as agents of change is the gender-based violence women face worldwide. In some countries, gender-based violence impacts as many as 70 percent of women. According to the United Nations, “one out of three women throughout the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.”

Gender-based violence occurs in many forms and can be physical, sexual, or cultural. It is in the home in the form of domestic violence. It is rampant in conflict situations where women are violated and exploited as weapons of war. In the sex-trade, women are bought, sold, and abused as cheap, expendable goods. And in some cultures, women are mutilated, forced into child marriages, and denied access to basic rights such as healthcare and education.

This Thursday, August 5th at 12 pm Eastern/9 am Pacific, The WIP community has the unique opportunity to participate in a live internet chat with CARE, a leading humanitarian NGO that is working to pass the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) - a landmark piece of bi-partisan U.S. legislation.

John Kerry (D-MA), a lead sponsor of the Senate bill, recently commented “(I-VAWA) builds on the (Obama) Administration’s focus on women as peace-makers, change-agents, and a crucial investment in the future.”

In their efforts to effect social-change that is permanent, CARE prioritizes empowering women. As part of their commitment to greater independence and safety for women and girls, CARE is working to ensure I-VAWA 2010 passes in both the House and Senate. The WIP, an organization that values women’s perspectives as peace-makers and change-agents, is dedicated to joining all efforts to get I-VAWA passed.

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