,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #cjcg ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #ab1 #bjai,mrs4 ,shaheen 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,collins1 and ,mr4 ,isakson7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations ,a ,,bill ,to prevent international violence against women1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title2 table of contents ,this ,act may be cited as the ,international ,violence ,against ,women ,act of #bjai4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4,sec4 #b4 ,findings4,sec4 #c4 ,statement of policy4,,title ,i--,united ,states strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence globally,sec4 #aja4 ,global strategy requirement4,,title ,,ii--,oversight and ,accountability,sec4 #bja4 ,definitions4,sec4 #bjb4 ,office of ,global ,women's ,issues4,sec4 #bjc4 ,senior ,coordinator for ,gender ,equality and ,women's ,empowerment4,sec4 #bjd4 ,briefing4 #b4 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,an estimated #a out of every #c women throughout the world will be beaten1 coerced into sex1 or otherwise abused in her lifetime4 7#b7 ,up to #gj percent of women in some countries report experiencing gender-based violence at some point in their lives4 7#c7 ,intimate partner violence is the most prevalent form of violence against women1 preventing them from playing more active roles in the social1 economic1 and political development of their communities4 7#d7 ,sexual violence among adolescents and pre-adolescents is alarmingly high4 ,national surveys in ,swaziland1 ,tanzania1 ,zimbabwe1 ,kenya1 and ,haiti have found that between #bh and #ch percent of girls and between #i and #ah percent of boys report experiencing sexual violence before reaching #ah years of age4 7#e7 ,adult male respondents in #f countries who had experienced violence as children were significantly more likely to report perpetrating intimate partner violence themselves according to the ,international ,men and ,gender ,equality ,survey dataset4 7#f7 ,gender-based violence harms economies and the workers that fuel them4 ,despite underreporting1 striking statistics document prevalent forms of gender-based violence globally that affect the world of work4 ,worldwide1 women are concentrated in low-wage1 insecure jobs in workplaces where they lack bargaining power1 protections against gender-based violence1 safe and confidential reporting systems1 recourse to justice1 or access to legal1 medical1 and psychosocial services4 7#g7 ,women living in poverty are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence4 ,lack of economic opportunities often compels women to use desperate and dangerous means to provide for themselves and their families1 risking significant exposure to labor exploitation and sexual exploitation and abuse for both women and their children4 7#h7 ,country studies indicate that the risk of ,,hiv among women who have experienced violence may be up to three times higher than among those who have not experienced violence4 ,the ,world ,health ,organization found that women who experience intimate partner violence are at more than #ej percent greater risk of ,,hiv infection1 and in some instances their risk of ,,hiv infection increases four-fold4 ,women living with ,,hiv are more likely to experience violence than other women1 and fear of violence can prevent women from accessing ,,hiv_/,,aids information and receiving treatment and counseling4 7#i7 ,addressing gender inequality and gender-based violence is essential to reducing ,,hiv risk and increasing access to ,,hiv prevention1 care and treatment services for women and men4 ,the ,president's ,emergency ,plan for ,,aids ,relief 7,,pepfar7 supports significant work in the field to incorporate efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence into existing ,,hiv treatment and prevention programs4 7#aj7 ,prevalence of sexual and physical violence is higher among persons with disabilities1 particularly for adolescents and intimate partners with disabilities1 and for men and women with intellectual impairments living in institutions4 ,the ,world ,health ,organization reports that rates of gender-based violence are between #d and #aj times greater among persons with disabilities compared to non-disabled persons4 7#aa7 ,displaced1 refugee1 and stateless women and girls in humanitarian emergencies1 conflict settings1 and natural disasters face extreme violence and threats1 including-- 7,a7 being forced to exchange sex for food and humanitarian supplies2 and 7,b7 being at increased risk of rape1 sexual exploitation1 trafficking1 and abuse4 7#ab7 ,rape and sexual assault against women and girls are used to torture1 intimidate1 and terrorize communities4 ,rape and sexual assault are used as tools of war in conflict zones1 including the ,democratic ,republic of ,congo1 ,iraq1 ,syria1 ,afghanistan1 ,colombia1 and ,south ,sudan4 7#ac7 ,child and forced marriage-- 7,a7 is a harmful practice that deprives girls and women of their dignity and rights and creates barriers to development for communities and countries2 7,b7 is projected to affect more than #adj1jjj1jjj girls around the world who have been or will be forced into marriage between #bjaa and #bjbj2 7,c7 can prematurely end girls' education1 increase vulnerability to gender-based violence1 and significantly raise the risk of maternal and infant morbidity or mortality1 including the risk of obstetric fistula and sexually transmitted diseases1 including ,,hiv_/,,aids2 and 7,d7 is perpetuated by poverty1 a lack of educational or employment opportunities for girls1 a lack of legal policies and enforcement of laws1 and religious1 cultural1 and social factors related to girls' perceived lack of value1 factors which become particularly acute in conflict and disaster settings where fears of sexual violence and overstretched coping mechanisms often drive child and forced marriage4 7#ad7 ,the harmful practice of female genital mutilation_/cutting 7,,fgm_/,c7 is carried out most often on girls between infancy and #ae years of age and has impacted more than #abe1jjj1jjj girls and women around the world who are alive today4 ,,fgm_/,c can cause long-term health problems1 including infertility1 complications in childbirth1 and increased risk of newborn deaths4 7#ae7 ,world ,bank data shows that gender inequality directly corresponds to increased levels of political and economic instability within states4 ,gender-based violence impedes women's meaningful participation in social1 political1 and economic spheres1 which is essential to the stability and democratization of a country4 ,since women disproportionately experience gender-based violence during conflict and post-conflict reconstruction1 they can play a pivotal role in preventing1 mitigating1 and resolving conflict1 and countering extremism4 7#af7 ,gender-based violence is a contributing factor to human trafficking4 ,experts in the field have reported that women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence and live in societies that tolerate severe gender discrimination appear to be more vulnerable to being trafficked4 ,comprehensive efforts to reduce human trafficking must include efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence due to the intertwined relationship of the two crimes4 7#ag7 ,faith-based organizations and faith leaders are key partners in the ongoing efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence4 ,when properly engaged and equipped with knowledge and resources1 such organizations and leaders can play a significant part in changing behaviors and norms and reducing gender-based violence4 ,particularly in countries that lack effective legal frameworks to address gender-based violence1 such faith-based organizations and faith leaders have the standing and authority to address harmful practices1 such as child marriage1 intimate partner abuses1 and acid throwing4 #c4 ,statement of policy ,it is the policy of the ,united ,states-- 7#a7 to take effective action to prevent and respond to gender-based violence around the world as a matter of basic human rights and to promote gender equality1 economic growth1 and improved public health2 7#b7 to systematically integrate and coordinate efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence internationally into ,united ,states foreign policy and foreign assistance programs1 including peace-building efforts and humanitarian relief and recovery2 7#c7 to support and build local capacity in developing countries1 including the capacity of governments at all levels1 nongovernmental organizations1 especially women-led organizations1 to prevent and respond to gender-based violence2 7#d7 to consult1 cooperate1 coordinate1 and collaborate with a wide variety of nongovernmental partners with demonstrated experience in preventing and responding to gender-based violence1 including faith-based organizations and women-led organizations2 7#e7 to employ a multisectoral approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence internationally1 including activities in the economic1 education1 health1 nutrition1 legal1 and judicial sectors2 7#f7 to work at all levels1 from the individual to the family1 community1 local1 national1 and international levels1 to prevent and respond to gender-based violence around the world2 7#g7 to enhance training by ,united ,states personnel of professional foreign military and police forces1 judicial officials1 and other public justice system officials1 including prosecutors1 including specific and thorough instruction on preventing and responding to gender-based violence around the world2 7#h7 to engage men and boys as partners1 as an essential element of making sustained reductions in gender-based violence2 7#i7 to include the prevention of child and forced marriage as an important part of ,united ,states ,government efforts to prevent violence against girls and promote gender equality and global health2 7#aj7 to require that all ,united ,states contractors and grantees establish appropriate policies and take effective measures to prevent gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse1 including within the workforce2 7#aa7 to exert sustained international leadership to prevent and respond to gender-based violence1 including in bilateral and multilateral fora2 and 7#ab7 to implement a strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence globally4 ,i ,united ,states strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence globally #aja4 ,global strategy requirement 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and every #d years thereafter1 the ,ambassador-at-,large for ,global ,women's ,issues at the ,department of ,state appointed pursuant to section #bja 7referred to in this section as the ,ambassador-at-,large71 in consultation with the ,senior ,coordinator for ,gender ,equality and ,women's ,empowerment at the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development appointed pursuant to section #bjb 7referred to in this section as the ,senior ,coordinator71 shall-- 7#a7 develop or update1 in consultation with civil society1 including service providers1 a ,united ,states global strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence1 using evidence-based interventions and standards that address the root causes of1 and provide comprehensive responses to1 gender-based violence2 7#b7 submit the strategy under paragraph 7#a7 to the appropriate congressional committees for comment and review2 and 7#c7 make the strategy publicly available on the internet4 7b7 ,initial strategy ,for the purposes of this section1 an existing ,united ,states strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence may be deemed to fulfill the initial requirement under subsection 7a74 7c7 ,collaboration and coordination ,in developing the strategy under subsection 7a71 the ,ambassador-at-,large and the ,senior ,coordinator shall consult with-- 7#a7 the heads of relevant ,federal agencies2 7#b7 the ,senior ,policy ,operating ,group on ,trafficking in ,persons2 and 7#c7 representatives of civil society1 including nongovernmental organizations1 faith-based organizations1 multilateral organizations1 local and international civil society groups1 and local service providers and beneficiaries with demonstrated experience in addressing gender-based violence or promoting gender equality internationally4 7d7 ,use of funds ,amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to carry out the activities under this section shall be subject to all applicable restrictions under ,federal law4 7e7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section may be construed to authorize any additional appropriations to carry out the strategy under subsection 7a74 ,,ii ,oversight and ,accountability #bja4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,agency ,the term ,agency means the ,united ,states ,agency for ,international ,development4 7#b7 ,ambassador ,the term ,ambassador means the ,ambassador-at-,large for ,global ,women's ,issues appointed by the ,president pursuant to section #bjb7;a74 7#c7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,relations of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,foreign ,affairs of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#d7 ,gender analysis ,the term gender analysis-- 7,a7 means a socioeconomic analysis of available or gathered quantitative and qualitative information to identify1 understand1 and explain gaps between men and women1 which typically involves examining-- 7i7 differences in the status of women and men and differential access to and control over assets1 resources1 education1 opportunities1 and services2 7ii7 the influence of gender roles1 structural barriers1 and norms on the division of time between paid1 unpaid work 7including the subsistence production and care for family members71 and volunteer activities2 7iii7 the influence of gender roles1 structural barriers1 and norms on leadership roles and decision making2 constraints1 opportunities1 and entry points for narrowing gender gaps and empowering women2 and 7iv7 potential differential impacts of development policies and programs on men and women1 including unintended or negative consequences2 and 7,b7 includes conclusions and recommendations to enable development policies and programs-- 7i7 to narrow gender gaps2 and 7ii7 to improve the lives of women and girls4 7#e7 ,office ,the term ,office means the ,office of ,global ,women's ,issues established by the ,secretary of ,state pursuant to section #bjb7;a74 7#f7 ,senior coordinator ,the term ,senior ,coordinator means the ,senior ,coordinator for ,gender ,equality and ,women's ,empowerment at the ,agency4 #bjb4 ,office of ,global ,women's ,issues 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,state shall establish in the ,office of the ,secretary of the ,department of ,state the ,office of ,global ,women's ,issues4 ,the ,office shall be headed by an ,ambassador-at-,large for ,global ,women's ,issues1 who shall be appointed by the ,president1 by and with the advice and consent of the ,senate4 ,the ,ambassador shall report directly to the ,secretary and shall have the rank and status of ,ambassador-at-,large4 7b7 ,purpose ,in addition to the duties described in subsection 7c7 and duties determined by the ,secretary of ,state1 the ,ambassador shall coordinate efforts of the ,united ,states ,government as directed by the ,secretary regarding approaches that promote equality and advance the status of women and girls in ,united ,states foreign policy4 7c7 ,duties 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,ambassador-- 7,a7 in consultation with the ,senior ,coordinator1 shall direct activities1 policies1 programs1 and funding relating to gender equality and the advancement of women and girls internationally1 including those intended to prevent and respond to gender-based violence1 for all bureaus and offices of the ,department of ,state2 7,b7 shall actively promote and advance the integration of gender analysis into the programs1 structures1 processes1 and capacities of bureaus and offices of the ,department of ,state and in the international programs of other ,federal agencies2 7,c7 shall direct ,united ,states ,government resources1 as appropriate1 to respond to needs for promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women in ,united ,states ,government foreign policies and international programs1 including to prevent and respond to gender-based violence internationally2 7,d7 may design1 support1 and implement activities regarding empowerment of women internationally1 including for the prevention of and response to gender-based violence internationally2 7,e7 shall conduct regular consultation with civil society organizations working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence internationally2 7,f7 shall ensure that programs1 projects1 and activities designed to prevent and respond to gender-based violence internationally are subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation1 and that there is a uniform set of indicators and standards for such monitoring and evaluation that is used across all ,federal agencies2 7,g7 shall serve as the principal advisor to the ,secretary of ,state regarding gender equality1 women's empowerment1 and gender-based violence as a foreign policy matter2 and 7,h7 is authorized to represent the ,united ,states in diplomatic and multilateral fora on matters relevant to the status of women and girls1 including gender-based violence internationally4 7#b7 ,information sharing and transparency ,the ,office-- 7,a7 shall be the central repository of data on all ,united ,states programs1 projects1 and activities that relate to prevention and response to gender-based violence around the world2 and 7,b7 shall produce a full accounting of ,united ,states ,government spending on such programs1 projects1 and activities4 #bjc4 ,senior ,coordinator for ,gender ,equality and ,women's ,empowerment 7a7 ,establishment ,there is established in the ,agency the position of ,senior ,coordinator for ,gender ,equality and ,women's ,empowerment4 ,the ,senior ,coordinator shall-- 7#a7 report to the ,administrator of the ,agency2 and 7#b7 conduct duties as directed by the ,administrator to promote the purposes of this ,act4 7b7 ,in general ,the ,senior ,coordinator-- 7#a7 in consultation with the ,ambassador1 shall coordinate activities1 policies1 programs1 and funding of the ,agency relating to gender equality and women's empowerment1 including those intended to prevent and respond to gender-based violence2 7#b7 shall actively promote and advance the integration of gender analysis into the programs1 structures1 processes1 and capacities of all bureaus and offices of the ,agency as dictated by the ,agency's ,gender ,equality and ,female ,empowerment ,policy2 7#c7 shall coordinate ,agency resources for gender equality and women's empowerment1 including to prevent and respond to gender-based violence internationally2 7#d7 may design1 support1 and implement activities led by the ,agency regarding gender equality and women's empowerment1 including for the prevention and response to gender-based violence internationally2 7#e7 shall conduct regular consultation with civil society organizations working to prevent and respond to gender-based violence internationally2 7#f7 shall serve as the principal advisor to the ,administrator regarding gender equality1 women's empowerment1 and gender-based violence2 and 7#g7 shall track and analyze monitoring and evaluation data and findings on international prevention and response programs of the ,agency1 consistent with ,agency-wide monitoring and evaluation activities1 to assist in the preparation of the comprehensive strategy developed under section #aja7;a74 #bjd4 ,briefing ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,ambassador and the ,senior ,coordinator shall provide1 to the appropriate congressional committees-- 7#a7 a briefing on international gender-based violence prevention and response strategies1 programming1 and associated outcomes2 and 7#b7 an assessment of human and financial resources necessary to fulfill the purposes and duties under this ,act4