Stop violence against women

Ritu Sharma, Washington, D.C.

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014 | 2 a.m.

I was glad to see the Las Vegas Sun publish Nick Kristof’s recent op-ed on violence against women and girls globally. 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.

Las Vegas Congresswoman Dina Titus is a vocal supporter of the Violence Against Women Act that passed last year. Her commitment to the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) will be just as important this year.

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 Rep. Titus and Rep. Joe Heck, who has co-sponsored the legislation.

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.

The writer is president and co-founder of Women Thrive Worldwide.