NEW YORK (Press Release) — Representatives from the American Jewish World Services (AJWS) delivered over 80 Valentines made by constituents to the Bronx district office of Democratic Congressman Eliot Engel to thank him for his continuing support of the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). IVAWA, which would ensure that addressing violence against women is part of American foreign policy, is to be reintroduced in the 114th Congress on International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2015. Congressman Engel will once again be an original cosponsor of the legislation.
“I want to thank my friends and constituents in American Jewish World Services for their incredible support of our efforts to pass the International Violence Against Women Act,” Congressman Engel said. “When a community group—no matter their size—gets engaged, they have the power to influence things on a global scale. It is my hope that with the help of the AJWS we will be able to make the passage of IVAWA a reality.
“As we see on the news every day, there is an international epidemic of violence against women across the globe, and it has to stop. One in three women around the world is likely to be subject to some form of abuse in her lifetime. It is long past due that American foreign policy reflected our concerns for the general well-being of women internationally. That is why I am hopeful that after IVAWA is reintroduced in the coming weeks, we will be able to pass it and make the prevention of gender-based violence an important facet of our international relations.”
Melody Berkovits, an American Jewish World Service supporter and constituent of Congressman Engel said, “we wanted to thank Congressman Engel, from the bottom of our hearts, for championing the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). This legislation has the power to make a difference in the lives of millions of women and girls around the world who suffer from violence because of their gender. If IVAWA passes, the U.S. government will send a strong message that it is taking concrete steps to ensure that women and girls everywhere can live and love without fear.”
*
Preceding provided by Congressman Eliot Engel