This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I was glad to see The Salt Lake Tribune publish Nick Kristof's recent op-ed on violence against women and girls globally ("Brave girls fight a horrible taboo," Opinion, Jan. 16). When one in three women around the world is raped, beaten, or abused at some point during her lifetime, more attention — and action — is needed.
Congressmen Rob Bishop and Jim Matheson have the opportunity to show their commitment to this issue by supporting the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA).
Introduced in the House of Representatives in November, the bill is gaining bipartisan support. But to pass, it will need strong support from leaders like Reps. Bishop and Matheson.
The I-VAWA would help prevent violence against women and girls around the world, and it's funded completely through existing spending.
With so many affected by violence, the time for leadership is now.
Ritu Sharma
President, co-founder
Women Thrive Worldwide
Washington, D.C.