Rape as a War Crime and Women’s Human Rights: Dear Joe…

December 16, 2008 posted by Linda Basch Last week marked the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As we continue to celebrate this important milestone this month, we pause to reflect on the violence that women and girls continue to endure inside our nation and around the world. Sadly, its prevalence continues unabated and cuts across race, class, geography, education and income levels. Women's rights are human rights, but the full import of this is yet to be fully realized. What should our leaders-elect do differently in order to help eradicate violence against women and girls?  We've asked women leaders who work on this issue to respond to the following scenario: Vice-President-elect Joe Biden, a longtime advocate on the issue of violence against women and girls, is on the phone, seeking your input on how to build support for the IVAWA and introduce new initiatives.  What do you tell him? Their responses follow, and will be posted throughout the week. Links: Enemies Within: Silence and Wartime Rape at Home and Abroad Things to do Now to Stop Violence against Women To End Violence Against Women, Target Misogyny Beyond Firewood