1. If you live anywhere in the United States, you can contact your Senators and Representatives by clicking here.

2. If you live in the following states, please call your Senator before Friday, March 14, and ask him or her to cosponsor I-VAWA, S.2279:

Target States: AK, ID, ME, MN, NC, NE, NH, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, WY

It is important to have Democratic and Republican co-sponsors to make this a truly bipartisan effort. You can contact your Senator by calling the Senate Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and asking to be connected directly to his or her Senate office. When you reach your Senator’s office, you can use these suggested talking points:

• The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) will help to coordinate and improve U.S. government efforts to stop the global crisis of violence against women and girls.

• Violence against women is an enormous human rights problem around the world. It takes many forms, including rape, domestic violence, acid burning, dowry deaths, “honor killings,” and more. Experts estimate that up to one in three women globally will be beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetimes, with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries.

• I-VAWA is designed to give victims of violence more assistance, to hold perpetrators accountable, and to speak out against this violence.

• I-VAWA integrates efforts to end violence against women and girls into already existing U.S. foreign assistance programs and puts a special emphasis on supporting the overseas women’s groups that work every day to stop violence.

• I-VAWA enables the U.S. Government to develop a faster and more effective response to violence against women during armed conflicts and humanitarian emergencies.

• Passing I-VAWA will help support economic progress and stability in 10-to-20 poor and middle-income countries. And it is essential if the United States is to take a more coordinated and effective stand against violence that harms so many women and girls worldwide.

Thank you for taking action to end violence against women!