The Global Gender-Based Violence Threat

The Lasiewicz Foundation is pleased to announce that today's Congressional Human Rights Commission hearing on violence against women globally was recorded by staff of WPFW and excerpts will air on tomorrow's new broadcast.

The audio portion of this hearing is available to the public and media producers at the following website: http://audioport.org/index.php?op=program-info&program_id=65506&nav=&

All around the world, women and girls are vulnerable to rape and other forms of physical and sexual violence - crimes collectively referred to as gender-based violence (GBV). According to the World Health Organization, 35 percent of women worldwide have experienced some form of GBV, with rates exceeding 70 percent in some countries. Such violence can significantly affect the ability of women and girls to participate in political, economic, and peace and security initiatives. Additionally, GBV exacts a tremendous human toll on nations and has implications for global diplomatic and humanitarian efforts around the world.

This hearing explored the range of threats that women and girls face around the world. It will also examine the extent to which U.S. development and humanitarian assistance programs address the specific needs of GBV survivors in emergency, post "emergency, and development environments.  This hearing will draw on the instructive experience of organizations working to combat GBV in India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Haiti.

Speakers:

Catherine Russell, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women s Issues, Department of State;

Carla Koppell, Chief Strategy Officer, USAID (Former Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment);

Cristina Finch, Managing Director, Women s Human Rights Program, Amnesty International USA;

Francisca Vigaud-Walsh, Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, Women's Protection and Empowerment Unit, International Rescue Committee (IRC);

Ravi Kant, President of the Board of Directors, Shakti Vahini, New Delhi, India;

Guerda Constant, Executive Director of Fondasyon Limy Lavi, Haiti.

IN: (Ambassador Russell) Thank you very much
OUT: (Guerda Constant) and more secure.
TOTAL TIME: 49:32

Recorded and produced Robb Simms of Pacifica Radio WPFW-FM, Washington DC.

Funding for recording and production of this program has been graciously provided by the Lasiewicz Foundation.