Help Pass the International Violence Against Women Act



Dear PulseWire sisters,



In partnership with Women Thrive Worldwide, World Pulse is urging women around the world to use our voices as instruments for change in saying NO to gender-based violence and to put pressure on the United States government to pass the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).



World Pulse is gathering women's testimony letters from around the world, on the real consequences of violence, both personal and observed, and the global economic change that is possible when women and girls are protected and valued in every society.



Your letters will be bundled and sent directly to U.S. President Barack Obama, Secretary Hilary Clinton, and other key U.S. Senators, urging them to pass I-VAWA. Our collective voices from across the globe will demonstrate that the world cannot afford to continue ignoring the voices of women.



What is I-VAWA?



The International Violence Against Women Act (H.R. 4594, S. 2982) is a major step and unprecedented effort to end violence against women and girls across the globe.



If passed, it would for the first time comprehensively incorporate proven solutions to ending gender-based violence into all U.S. foreign assistance programs, as well as make ending violence against women a diplomatic priority. It would require the U.S. government to invest in grassroots women's organizations that are successfully working to reduce violence in their communities, and respond to critical outbreaks of gender-based violence in armed conflict in a timely manner.



The I-VAWA would place women's equality initiatives high on the global agenda—like promoting women's economic opportunity, addressing violence against girls in school, and working to change public attitudes—making a huge impact on empowering millions of women worldwide to lift themselves, their families, and their communities out of poverty.



Join us in this campaign and write your letter to help make I-VAWA a reality!



How to Participate:




  1. Write a Letter: Use your PulseWire journal to write a letter, sharing your personal and observed experiences in gender-based violence, how violence against women has affected your community, and how protecting women and girls can lead to positive change in your life.



Urge President Obama and Secretary Clinton to help pass this vital act. Be sure to sign your name (or an alias if you're concerned about your safety) within your letter, along with your city and country of residence.



Because many of you also participated in the Ending Gender-Based Violence Action Blogging Campaign, you are welcome to use the same content from a previous journal and re-post it in a new journal, structured as a letter, acknowledging the urgency of I-VAWA.




  1. Tag your Journal: In the tag field of your journal, type \"IVAWA\" to be sure your letter is included in the campaign and reaches the U.S. White House to help pass this urgent act.


  2. Be Heard! In the first week of December, World Pulse will be printing all the journals tagged \"IVAWA\" and mailing them to President Obama, Vice President Biden, Secretary Clinton, and other key U.S. Senators.




16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence



In addition to collecting your letters and sending your voices to the U.S. halls of power, World Pulse will select and publish the most powerful letters in a new editorial column of our online Magazine, throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence to demonstrate the power of voice and unified action!



Click here for more information on how to participate, and please contact me if you have any questions or need assistance with your letter. http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire/programs/international-violence-agai...



Our Goal is to compile all the letters by the end of November, so if you wish to include your voice in this powerful campaign, post your letter in your journal before November 30.



In friendship and solidarity,
Jade

Like this story?
Join World Pulse now to read more inspiring stories and connect with women speaking out across the globe!
Leave a supportive comment to encourage this author
Tell your own story
Explore more stories on topics you care about