The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is scheduled to vote on the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) tomorrow. Even though the content of IVAWA does not deal with abortion, this widely supported bill has been held up by anti-abortion politics. There is a possibility that anti-abortion Senators will introduce abortion amendments when the bill is voted on by the Committee tomorrow. IVAWA provides for the development of a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls internationally including an emergency response to critical or widespread incidents of violence in situations of armed conflict. The Act also directs both the State and Defense Departments to incorporate training on prevention and response into the basic training of foreign military and judicial forces. Funding is authorized for nongovernmental organizations, multilateral institutions and foreign countries to implement strategies to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls with special efforts required to assist community-based and women’s organizations.
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