AIUSA’s Stop Violence Against Women Campaign (SVAW) continues this Fall. Our focus is on protection of women activists, stopping violence in the community and during conflict, and to ensure passage by the U.S. Congress of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA 2005).
Violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive and ignored human rights violations in the world. In the US, a woman is raped every 6 minutes; a woman is battered by an intimate partner every 15 seconds.
Violence against women in the Community – a new action
Violence against women and girls persists around the world, and many kinds of violence are happening as you read this column. As part of Amnesty International’s SVAW campaign, we work to ensure that governments uphold their obligation to prevent, investigate and punish all forms of violence against women and girls, whether committed by government agents or by non-state actors – individuals or groups in the community. Here in the USA, great strides were achieved in 1994, when the women’s movement worked with legislators to create and pass the ground-breaking Violence Against Women Act legislation that improves criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States
legislation that improves criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States. VAWA is a critical piece of legislation. The initial adoption of VAWA in 1994 and its reauthorization in 2000 changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence. Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have been able to access services, and a new generation of families and justice system professionals have come to understand that such crimes will not be tolerated. VAWA reauthorization and expansion must be a priority.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives have passed versions of this important, life-saving legislation. But, a final version still needs to be voted on by the full Congress. VAWA reauthorization and expansion must be a priority. Visit 700women.org to sign a petition today and let Congress know how important VAWA is to you and your community.
Help End Violence against Women by DRC Armed forces
Armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have committed acts of violence, including rape and sexual mutilation, against tens of thousands of women and children. Since signing the December 2002 All-Inclusive Peace Agreement to end the major conflict, former leaders of these armed troops have become part of the current transitional government. But Amnesty International believes that these armed groups retain their military capability and readiness for renewed conflict and continue to commit grave human rights abuses. To take action on this issue, click here.
Demand Justice for Alleged Stoning of Woman in Afghanistan
On April 21, 1 29-year-old Afghan woman, Amina, was publicly executed allegedly by stoning. She was accused of adultery by her husband, and was found guilty by a local religious council. This sentence and extrajudicial execution are unlawful, and the Afghan government has arrested the responsible parties. Urge the United States government to provide support for education and training to end discrimination against women and ensure justice for all. To take action on this issue, click here.
Amnesty International USA is the US section of AI - the international worldwide human rights organization with 1.8 million members in 100 countries. AIUSA has over 350,000 members organized into professional networks, and student and community chapters. You can find out which of our administrative regions you live in and contact our offices if you wish to join a local chapter visit www.amnestyusa.org. You can join the SVAW campaign, get our monthly women’s human rights online bulletin and join the Women's Human Rights Action Network by visiting www.amnestyusa.org/women. We look forward to working with you.
