Senate Hearing on Global GBV
After re-introducing the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) with bipartisan support last month, the Senate held a Standing-Room-Only hearing on global gender-based violence yesterday to draw attention to the biggest human rights challenge of our time.
The hearing, entitled, “Combating Violence and Discrimination Against Women: A Global Call to Action,” took place in front of a room packed with survivors, advocates, and policy makers demanding an end to gender-based violence. Among those testifying were Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
Representatives from the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development were also present to report on the Obama Administration’s efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in its many forms. Rounding out the witnesses were three members of the NGO community who emphasized the need to engage men and boys as allies and partners – a belief we at Futures Without Violence have championed for decades – among other helpful preventative measures. FUTURES President and Founder, Esta Soler, contributed a statement on the global scourge of gender-based violence.
Did you miss the hearing? You can watch the full recording online.