Foreign Affairs: Violence Against Women and International Security
Michelle Sieff, gender, conflict, political economy consultant

“…What … can be done to ensure that domestic violence against women and girls is prioritized in U.S. foreign policy and international security policy more generally? First, the Trump administration can build on its passage of the Women, Peace, and Security Act and strengthen the institutions within the U.S. government that are spearheading global efforts to prevent domestic violence. … In addition, the Trump administration should ramp up funding to prevent domestic violence against women and girls globally. … Finally, women’s rights activists can themselves do more to ensure that domestic violence is prioritized by implementers of the women, peace, and security agenda, as well as in international security conversations more generally. … The theme of this year’s activities [for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign], ‘Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls,’ reinforces the international community’s commitment to reaching the most marginalized women and girls. It is an ambitious agenda, and one that will be achieved only if violence in the home is treated with the seriousness that its prevalence demands” (11/28).