Global AIDS Alliance Celebrates the Introduction of the International Violence Against Women Act, Urges Swift Passage

[Guest guest]

GLOBAL AIDS ALLIANCE

CELEBRATES THE INTRODUCTION OF

THE

INTERNATIONAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT,

URGES

SWIFT PASSAGE

Washington,

DC (February 4, 2010) — The

Global AIDS Alliance (GAA) commends the bi-partisan congressional leadership

that it has taken to introduce the International Violence Against Women Act

(I-VAWA) today. Violence against women has a major impact on the ability of

women and girls to access healthcare globally. I-VAWA provides an essential tool in the United States

foreign assistance approach, one that will address an insidious and pervasive

challenge to the ability of women and girls to become healthy, productive

members of their communities.

We want to thank Senators Kerry (D-MA), Boxer (D-CA), Snowe (R-ME), and

(R-ME) and Chairman Delahunt (D-MA), Congressman Poe (R-TX), and

Congresswoman Schakowsky (D-IL) for their extraordinary work on behalf of women

around the world. This legislation has been introduced in previous years

without congressional action; therefore, GAA urges strong majority and

committee leadership to ensure consideration and passage this year.

“Violence against women and girls is a human rights abuse that

transcends national boundaries and has a profound impact on the education, health,

and well-being of women and girls, particularly their ability to negotiate safe

sex and seek health services or information, including HIV testing, treatment,

and care,” said Dr. Zeitz, Executive Director of GAA and a physician

with experience working with people living with HIV/AIDS in Africa, India, and

South America. “The commitment that I-VAWA makes to prevent and respond

to violence against women and girls worldwide is a step toward gender equality;

it signals that combating violence is key to effective foreign policy and

expresses U.S.

moral leadership. We call on the 111th Congress to enact I-VAWA

because we cannot wait another year to make this a reality.”

I-VAWA makes preventing and responding to

violence against women and girls a priority in U.S. foreign policy by

addressing violence through a multi-sectoral lens—linking the response to

violence with other foreign assistance programs, such as development

assistance, humanitarian aid, global health, and peacekeeping. Given that

women who are abused are at greater risk of acquiring HIV, the connection

between I-VAWA and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

(PEPFAR) is especially significant, because it allows for scale-up of

coordinated, integrated programs that expand supports and services for

survivors of violence.

“Violence is both a cause and a consequence of HIV/AIDS. Unless

we address global violence against women and girls, our multi-billion dollar

fight against AIDS is sure to fail,” noted

Schechtman, Policy Director of GAA.

RESOURCES:

I-VAWA

Fact Sheet

Scaling

Up for Zero Tolerance (GAA Report, 2008)

GAA

Statement for the Record for October 1 Senate Hearing

GAA

Statement for the Record for October 21 House Hearing

Grassroots Coordinator

Global AIDS Alliance

1121 14th St. NW

4th Floor

Washington, DC 20005

(202)

789-0432 ext. 212

mpeterson@...

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Life's

most urgent question is: what are you doing for others? - Luther King,

Jr.