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US Advocacy & Policy Engagement
The U.S. government plays an important role in global development efforts in various areas including economic growth, health, education and food security. Women’s roles and contributions, as well as the barriers they face, must be accounted for if these efforts are to be successful.
ICRW’s advocacy draws from more than 35 years of research and evidence-based analysis to inform U.S. policymakers on how to ensure that women and girls are part of solutions to reduce poverty, improve health and create a more just, equitable world.
We educate policymakers on a wide range of issue areas that impact the lives of women and girls around the world. Our evidence supports strengthening U.S. policies and investments that advance gender equality and empower women and girls.
ICRW also pursues four priority advocacy objectives:
Preventing child marriage
Child marriage undermines global development efforts focused on creating more educated, healthier and economically stable populations. ICRW advocates for U.S. action that would integrate efforts to combat child marriage into existing education and health initiatives to increase the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance dollars – and give millions of girls a better chance to fulfill their potential.
Eradicating violence against women
Violence against women is a global problem that violates the basic human rights of women and impedes progress toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. ICRW advocates for increased U.S. action to support survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and make violence prevention a more integral part of global development efforts.
Supporting women in agriculture and food security
U.S. investment in agricultural development, particularly through small-scale farmers, can help reduce hunger and poverty worldwide. ICRW advocates for U.S. investments in agricultural development to involve women, as both farmers and caregivers, in efforts to expand agriculture and improve nutrition.
Integrating gender in foreign assistance reform
U.S. law governing foreign assistance has not been reformed or modernized since the Foreign Assistance Act was signed into law more than 50 years ago. Currently, U.S. foreign assistance lacks an overarching strategy as well as coordination among many agencies delivering aid. ICRW joins a large coalition of organizations in calling for a reformed foreign assistance framework that will strengthen and streamline development efforts to better meet today’s challenges and opportunities. ICRW advocates for full integration of the roles, rights, responsibilities and vulnerabilities of women and girls into all U.S. foreign assistance policy and programming activities. ICRW knows that the best way to fight hunger, poverty and improve health in the world is to invest in women.