Schakowsky re-introduces International Violence Against Women Act

Rep. Jan Schakowsky and dozens of House colleagues re-introduced legislation on Thursday to combat violence against women overseas, the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA).

The legislation "will make ending violence against women and girls a foreign policy priority of the United States," Schakowsky said at a press conference. "It will give the United States government new tools to promote fundamental rights of women around the world."

She noted that 1 in 3 women worldwide is beaten, raped or mutilated during their lifetimes. Additionally, up to 70 percent of women are affected by violence in some countries and rape has been used as a weapon of war around the world.

Schakowsky also used to press conference to take shots at her partisan opponents.

"Even here in the United States women's rights are under attack," she said. "We have seen troubling efforts from Republicans to restrict women's access to reproductive health and family planning services. Earlier this week, Republicans voted down a bill to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work and we have even seen an effort to redefine rape."

She said many Republicans opposed IVAWA in the past because it did not contain strict prohibitions on abortion.

"This bill has nothing to do with abortion," Schakowsky said. "Women's rights are human rights."

Watch her press conference, uploaded to YouTube on June 7, below: