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Policy Engagement

U.S. Congress Introduces International Violence Against Women Act

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Evidence-based Solutions and Work with Men and Boys Key Components
Wed, 02/24/2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) issued the following statement upon Congress’s reintroduction today of the International Violence Against
Women’s Act (IVAWA).

ICRW, which conducts empirical research and advocates for evidence-based policies and programs,
worked with Congressional leaders to help craft a multi-sectoral approach to alleviate violence and
encourage stronger partnerships among the health, economic, social and legal sectors.

In its consultations with legislators, ICRW emphasized the importance of working with men and boys
as partners and using research-based evidence to combat violence in developing countries, which
are key components of the IVAWA legislation.

“There is growing evidence about the effectiveness of programs that recast the idea of what it means
to ‘be a man’ as involved caretakers and partners rather than violent and domineering,” said Gary
Barker, director of gender, violence and rights at ICRW. “Programs that work with adolescent boys
as well as men have proven that changing cultural norms can and does reduce violent behavior,
especially towards women.”

Mary Ellsberg, ICRW’s vice president of research and programs added, “Years of data collection
helped to inform the drafting of this legislation and ICRW is excited to see that the bill puts a high
premium on the need for continued study. The bill includes funding for critical research, ensuring
we understand where and why violence occurs, and the best ways to prevent or respond to it.”

ICRW President Geeta Rao Gupta also applauded the move and said: “This is a transformative time
given the administration’s focus on women and girls and legislation like IVAWA is critical to reducing
violence around the world. ICRW appreciates the bold leadership of Reps. Delahunt and Poe; and
Sens. Kerry, Snowe, Boxer and Collins, who are working across the political aisle to make the world
safer for women and girls.”

Media Contact: 
Jeannie Bunton, 202.742.1316, Jbunton@icrw.org
Mission Statement: 

ICRW's mission is to empower women, advance gender equality and fight poverty in the developing world. To accomplish this, ICRW works with partners to conduct empirical research, build capacity and advocate for evidence-based, practical ways to change policies and programs.

Assessing India's Domestic Violence Laws

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ICRW is evaluating the implementation of India’s Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005 (PWDVA), which is designed to protect the rights of women who experience domestic violence and facilitate their access to justice. In collaboration with the Lawyers Collective Women’s Rights Initiative (LCWRI), we are monitoring efforts to improve the ability of key agencies to implement the law.

ICRW is working to document how various interventions conducted by LCWRI strengthen India’s overall response to violence. Interventions include capacity development workshops for law enforcers (police, protection officers and magistrates), legal aid to women facing violence at home, and awareness-building campaigns about the law among women and the public. ICRW is using surveys, interviews and group discussions in three major states to assess various stakeholders’ attitudes toward the law. ICRW is also designing a monitoring system to track the effectiveness of the PWDVA on a yearly basis.

Duration: 
2009 - 2013
Location(s): 
India

Recast 'Being a Man,' Group Urges

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Thu, 02/04/2010
United Press International

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Violence against women in developing countries can best be addressed by working with men to "recast" what it means "to be a man," a U.S. advocacy group says.

The International Center for Research on Women issued a statement Thursday to coincide with the reintroduction of the International Violence Against Women's Act in Congress.

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Strengthening National HIV/AIDS Policy & Programming

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Global stakeholders recognize that HIV/AIDS policies and programs must advance gender equality in order to effectively slow the spread of HIV. However, few concrete tools have been developed to guide policymakers and programmers in creating gender-responsive strategies at the national level. ICRW is collaborating with partners from civil society, government and donor organizations in Uganda and Cambodia to demonstrate how to develop national HIV/AIDS plans that address the unique needs and constraints of women and men.

In each country, ICRW is analyzing current national policies, strategies and programs to identify strengths and gaps in addressing gender-based vulnerabilities in the context of HIV and AIDS. The project team also is collaborating with a core group of government, donor and civil society representatives to form an advisory board. The board will use findings from the analysis to create recommendations and a plan for strengthening attention to gender in the national response to HIV and AIDS. The advisory board also will host a series of meetings to launch the action plan and garner support for its implementation.

Duration: 
2008 - 2011
Location(s): 
Uganda
Location(s): 
Cambodia

Youth at Odds in a Globalized World: Thailand as a Case in Point for Policy Action

Youth at Odds in a Globalized World: Thailand as a Case in Point for Policy Action

Anju Malhotra, Amara Soonthorndhada, Sara Curran
2005

This policy advisory outlines the research findings and policy recommendations from a study on youth and globalization in Thailand conducted by ICRW, Mahidol University and Princeton University.

(700.65 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Value Added

Value Added
Women and U.S. Foreign Assistance for the 21st Century

Kathleen Selvaggio, Rekha Mehra, Ritu Sharma Fox, Geeta Rao Gupta
2005

The development community has recently called on Congress and the U.S. President to reform U.S. foreign assistance for the 21st century. ICRW and Women Thrive Worldwide endorse the community's call for a new and expanded U.S. strategy for global development and poverty reduction, and the authors of this brief assert that the reform agenda will be even more effective if it takes women into account.

(218.47 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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U.S. Strategy for Rapid Scale-Up of ARV Treatment: Advocacy Issues and Concerns

U.S. Strategy for Rapid Scale-Up of ARV Treatment: Advocacy Issues and Concerns

International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
2003

This report provides background on international developments concerning anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, and on U.S. policy on the issue. It also outlines the key elements identified by leading international organizations as essential for successful scale-up of ARV treatment.

(212.09 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Toward 2015: Mixed Progress on Women and Development

Toward 2015: Mixed Progress on Women and Development

International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
2008

From 2002 to 2005, ICRW led a high-level collaborative process to devise a seven-point strategy to achieve Goal 3 of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which aims to promote gender equality and empower women. As a summary of a larger ICRW publication, Seven Priorities, Seven Years to Go: Progress on Achieving Gender Equality this brief focuses on the progress to date on this seven-point strategy.

(94.48 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Toward Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering Women

Toward Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering Women

International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
2005

Gender equality and women’s empowerment is the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and must be integrated into each of the MDGs if all the development goals are to be met. The world community has the knowledge and technology to reduce gender inequalities and empower women. The U.N. Millennium Project’s Task Force on Education and Gender Equality has outlined seven strategic priorities that require action to meet Goal 3. This brief discusses these issues and includes excerpts from Taking Action: Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering Women, the 2005 report of the U.N. Millennium Project Task Force on Education and Gender Equality.

(258.58 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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Too Young to Wed

Too Young to Wed
Education & Action Toward Ending Child Marriage

Cherreka Montgomery
2005

Child marriage undermines current U.S. development efforts in health, nutrition and education programs. This brief offers recommendations of how U.S. policy can end this harmful practice.

(663.46 KB)

We encourage the use and dissemination of our publications for non-commercial, educational purposes. Portions may be reproduced with acknowledgment to the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW). For questions, please contact publications@icrw.org; or (202) 797-0007.

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