A crowd of people lined the hall of the Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday to attend a hearing hosted by Representatives Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA) of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight. With testimony from Rep. Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL), Ambassador of Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, Founder of Breakthrough Mallika Dutt, former Rep. Linda Smith and Actress and UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman, the hearing discussed the International Violence against Women Act (IVAWA), an effort to bring violence against women to the forefront of American foreign policy.

Each panelist provided a unique perspective on the issue, but all agreed on one principle: violence against women should be a priority for U.S. foreign policy. Schakowsky began the hearing with a grim message: over the course of their lifetimes, at least one in three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused. Delahunt continued, emphasizing that violence against women is not merely a woman’s issue or a problem for the developing world, but a concern for everyone. Verveer agreed. She stressed that everyone must act now “to eliminate this worldwide scourge.” Dutt remarked that we must include youth in order to make lasting change. Kidman echoed her fellow participants, adding that violence against women knows no borders and needs support at the highest levels of leadership.

Women in conflict particularly face unimaginable brutality. Quoting Major General Patrick Cammaert, former UN Peacekeeping Operation Commander in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Delahunt remarked that it is now more dangerous to be a woman than it is to be a soldier in conflict: in the DRC alone, 1,100 rapes are reported each month. Schakowsky reiterated this sad fact, adding that rape has become a systematic weapon of war. However, ending violence against women is more than a moral issue, said the panelists: doing so is in our own national interest and the interest of nations around the world. According to Delahunt, it is also a national security issue. Girls’ education, he explained, has proven to be an effective tool against extremism and terrorism.

Schakowsky remarked that violence against women also prevents them from actively participating in their communities, thus depriving societies of their important contributions. Verveer explained that there cannot be vibrant civil society, good governance or economic prosperity if half of the population is left out. The goals set by the international community will not be met without the voices of women, Kidman concluded.

The overarching message was clear: violence against women cannot be relegated to the margins of foreign policy. Check out ONE partner Women Thrive Worldwide for more information on IVAWA and how you can get involved.

Also, check out this clip from CNN on the hearing and Nicole Kidman’s participation in this important movement.

-Jen Fraser and Pooja Gupta