On March 23, 2010, celebrated actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd joined Women Thrive to discuss the global scourge of violence against women in a national teleconference.

Ashley Judd on IVAWA, "In my travels around the world as the Global Ambassador for YouthAids and PSI Board Member, I have seen first-hand the devastation that violence imposes on women and girls. However, I have also witnessed how programs that empower and support women, especially in impoverished areas, can help break the cycle of violence, therefore making an enormous, positive difference not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities. I believe not only as an American, but as a human being, that it is important for our government to focus on ending this global issue and work towards finding solutions that can be implemented and sustained. IVAWA is a way to help end this scourge for millions of women around the world."

According to Ritu Sharma, Co-Founder and President of Women Thrive Worldwide, "It is morally wrong, unjust and a violation of basic human rights for women to be beaten or raped. Gender-based violence devastates not just women, but their families, communities and nations. Women all over the world are working locally end this violence in their lives, and its imperative for us to help magnify their efforts by supporting proven solutions that work.  The IVAWA is the best way for our government, and us as Americans, to do this."

Nearly one out of every three women globally has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Violence against women includes abuse by spouses or partners in the home, rape used as a weapon during wartime, and trafficking and forced prostitution of women. Judd, who’s currently studying public policy at Harvard, lent her voice to highlight the issue and speak up on behalf of women around the world who would not otherwise be heard.

The recently-introduced International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) - which has strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate - is an immediate way for the United States to finally do something tangible about this problem. The IVAWA was developed by IVAWA coalition leaders Women Thrive Worldwide, Amnesty International USA, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, with Congressional sponsors and in consultation with over 150 groups around the world. It is also a top priority for Secretary of State Clinton, who has highlighted gender-based violence repeatedly during her travels abroad, and for Vice President Biden who has been a well-known champion on this issue throughout his career.

A 2009 poll found that 61 percent of voters across demographic and political lines believe that ending global violence against women should one of President Obama’s top international priorities, and over 80 percent expressed support for the IVAWA bill when it was explained to them.

Also on the call were:

Congressman Bill Delahunt (D-MA), lead bill sponsor of the IVAWA
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), lead bill sponsor of IVAWA
Ritu Sharma, Co-founder and President, Women Thrive Worldwide
Humaira Shahid, former editor and legislator from Pakistan who pushed through groundbreaking domestic violence legislation there and is now a Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard. Click here to watch an interview with Humaira Shahid.

Note: While Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX), a lead bill sponsor and champion, was confirmed to attend the call, he was unable to join due to urgent Congressional business, his planned remarks are available here.

To listen to the call:


To read a transcript of the call click here.