Meng, Frankel, and Houlahan Lead Bipartisan Letter to Address Gender-Based Violence Due to the War in Ukraine
April 4, 2022
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) announced today that they led a bipartisan letter to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Power and Secretary of State Blinken, requesting that USAID's response to the crisis in Ukraine include efforts to prevent and address gender-based violence (GBV).
"More than 3 million Ukrainians have fled their country as a result of the invasion from Russia; 86 percent are women and children. Most of the Ukrainians who have been internally displaced are also women and children. However, there has not been enough attention or resources dedicated to addressing the rising risks of gender-based violence (GBV)," said the Representatives in a joint statement. "We know from experience, in so many other conflicts around the world, that the risks of GBV inevitably increase during conflict and humanitarian emergencies. We are extremely concerned that as this conflict continues, incidents of gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, will take place. We must ensure that humanitarian funding and assistance strategies prioritize efforts to prevent, mitigate, and address GBV."
The letter urges USAID to coordinate with the State Department to prioritize the needs of women and girls in humanitarian funding and assistance strategies, in accordance with Safe from the Start programing. USAID and State should work to ensure that aid is channeled through local organizations, including diverse women-led and women's humanitarian peacebuilding groups.
The full text of the letter can be viewed here.