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Subhead: Refugee women of the Karen community in Myanmar describe their struggle to bring about a peaceful return to their homeland and peace in their own domestic households. Produced by American Jewish World Service. Byline: WeNews staff
Credit: European Commission DG ECHO on Flickr, under Creative Commons
(WOMENSENEWS)-- This video showcases the work of a women's advocacy group helping to educate and train women and curb domestic and sexual violence in the stressful conditions of refugee life in Thailand.
American Jewish World Service, which produced the video, is a key supporter of the International Violence Against Women Act, a bill stuck in congressional committee. At the end of the video filmmakers urge viewers to lobby for passage of the bill, which is designed to give the United States a tool for fostering women's rights overseas. The U.S. Senate reintroduced the bill in May in the wake of the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria.
"One in three women worldwide is abused, beaten or raped during their lifetime, and we cannot stand idly by as mere witnesses to this widespread violence," said Ruth Messinger, president of American Jewish World Service, in an email interview.
"While the Obama administration has made great strides in protecting women and girls worldwide from violence, we need this crucial piece of legislation to continue this progress and push our government to do even more," she said.
In June, the government of Myanmar agreed to endorse the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence. The government was criticized in September last year after it became one of 50 United Nations members that refused to sign the declaration, the introduction of which has been led by the United Kingdom. By signing the declaration, member states pledged to end the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war.
Nicole Deniflee contributed reporting to this article.
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