Purpose of the IVAW Act

The IVAWA provides for U.S. training of foreign security forces on violence against women and girls

The I-VAWA also makes ending violence against women and girls a top diplomatic priority.

More specifically, the I-VAWA would do the following:

The I-VAWA focuses on establishing and supporting laws and legal structures that help prevent and appropriately respond to all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape, physical abuse, ‘honor killings’ and child or forced marriage.

The I-VAWA focuses on reducing women’s vulnerability to violence by improving their economic status and educational opportunities.

The I-VAWA focuses on expanding and coordinating overseas disaster assistance and funding for humanitarian programs to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

In addition, the I-VAWA requires the Secretary of State to develop emergency measures to respond to critical outbreaks of violence against women and girls in armed conflict such as mass rape.

The I-VAWA requires that U.S. training programs for foreign militaries and police address how to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls

History of IVAW Act

The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is a historic and unprecedented effort by the United States to address violence against women globally. It was introduced in the 110th Congress by Senators Joe Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), and in the House by Representative Howard Berman (D-CA); it is expected to be reintroduced in 2009.