Stopping Violence Against Women

In the chaos of conflict and disaster, women and girls can suffer unspeakable violence, exploitation and abuse. The odds are against them as they struggle to survive and protect themselves and their families.

From the Field

Esther Karnley, the advocacy manager of the IRC’s gender-based violence program in Liberia writes about her work on the IRC blog: 

Liberia, my country, has just come out of a tumultuous period of war.  Young girls were taken as “wives” by fighters during the civil conflict, which officially ended in 2003.  Fearing what would happen if they deserted — and with little or no education, skills or support — these kidnapped children were particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation. They suffered widespread sexual violence at the hands of all factions of the fighting forces. Read more >

On Capitol Hill

Last week a bi-partisan group politicians introduced historic legislation designed to protect women worldwide  Read More >

To Help

Sign our petition: Urge Congressional leaders to support the International Violence Against Women Act and ensure that Congress passes it without delay