By Meghan Ball | Organizational Advancement, Intern
On Friday, August 9, the White House announced the US’s new Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally. Ritu Sharma, president and cofounder of Women Thrive Worldwide, spoke at the event, alongside top policy officials from the White House, the State Department, USAID, and George Washington University. As the only panelist from a civil society organization, Ritu made sure that the voices of our coalition partners and grassroots supporters were heard. The press release can be found here.
The strategy ensures that the issue of violence is addressed in every sector of US foreign aid, including legal, security, health, education, economic, and development. By emphasizing programs run by locally-based organizations and civil society groups, this reformed US aid will empower communities to fight gender based violence in ways that best suit their needs.
“Violence against women is unfair, unjust and perhaps the greatest everyday violation of human rights on the planet,” said Ritu Sharma. “What this policy does is make fighting this problem in all of its dimensions a part of all of our nation’s foreign policy efforts. Women who are looking for a chance to live a life free of violence deserve nothing less.”
At the event, Women Thrive also delivered an over-sized Thank You card, signed by 600 men and women from around the world. The Thank You card commended the Obama Adminsitration for their commitment to the eradication of gender-based violence.
Women Thrive is very excited about this development, but there is still more to be done! We rely on supporters like you who are committed to empowering women and girls worldwide. Interested in getting involved?
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