WASHINGTON: Every day, millions of women and girls across the world are beaten and abused. Many are harmed in their homes by members of their family or community. Others are raped or harassed by the very security forces that are meant to protect them. Some victims of gender-based violence are employed outside their homes, some are not. Some are rich, some are poor. Some are literate, some are not. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, friends. They have only one thing in common: they are female, and they are abused because of it. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is a major step in the effort to end violence against women and girls across the globe. It directs the US government to create a comprehensive, five-year strategy to reduce violence in up to 20 diverse countries identified as having severe levels of violence against women. Ask your Senator and Representative to co-sponsor this bill today! HRW