H.R. 5927 would combat international violence against women and girls.
Detailed Summary
International Violence Against Women Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues.
Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women.
Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls.
Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.
Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls.
Directs the Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist programs that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in all humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict operations.
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) encourage U.N. member states to expand the number of female members of U.N. peacekeeping missions; and (2) take emergency measures to respond to violence against women and girls during conflict or post-conflict operations.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations should strengthen its ability to prevent violence against women and girls by U.N. military and civilian personnel.
Provides that Foreign Service training include instruction on prevention of violence against women and girls.
Authorizes appropriations to support the United Nations Development Fund for Women Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2008: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Points in Favor
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)
Points Against
(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)
Visitor Comments
ConcernedDad
May 19, 2008, 9:23am (report abuse)This is a troubling bill. Don't men and boys deserve equal protection from violence? Seems like we've become very misandric. This bill is not fair; it instead perpetuates false cultural myths & categorically persecutes half the population of the world: males. Shame on lawmakers that support this bill.
Concerned Citizen of the World
November 20, 2008, 4:17pm (report abuse)I think that is the dumbest comment I have ever read on a website. Of course men and boys deserve equal protection--and most of the time they get it! Women all over the world are treated as second class citizens. Look at the situation in the Congo where the overwhelming majority of sexual violence victims are women, and how the major persecutors of these crimes (men) are never prosecuted. This bill is meant to solve these gross inhumane treatment of women all over the world. Shame on you for feeling slighted by such a noble bill! Shame on you concerned dad!