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I-VAWA Bill Approved by Senate Committee

On December 14, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved, 11-8, S. 2982, the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA). The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight held a hearing on the subject in October 2009 (see The Source, 10/23/09).

The measure, sponsored by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), would authorize “such sums as may be necessary” for the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a comprehensive, five-year strategy to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls around the world. The measure also would authorize the State Department to provide funding for foreign countries, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and community-based organizations that have expertise in reducing such violence. Senior officials at the State Department and USAID would be tasked with overseeing such efforts.

The bill would authorize training for foreign military and police forces and judicial officials in order to prevent violence against women and girls and would direct the secretary of State to develop emergency response measures in incidents of critical and widespread violence against women and girls in situations of armed conflict.

During consideration of S. 2982, the committee rejected:

  • An amendment by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) to prevent funds from being used by organizations that perform abortions in foreign countries, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life, 8-11. The amendment also would prohibit funding for those who violate, or try to alter, a foreign country’s abortion laws.
  • An amendment by Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA) to clarify that the bill would not change existing prohibitions against abortion or bans on the use of funds to lobby for or against abortion, 9-10.
  • An amendment to the Casey amendment offered by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) to state that funds authorized by the bill would be subject to all applicable restrictions under federal law, 9-10.