August 12th Marks Anniversary of U.S. Signing of the Geneva Conventions – Now It’s Time for President Obama to Fulfill this Pledge for Girls & Women Raped in War
August 12, 2013
Why is a young girl in the Central African Republic raped & impregnated, then DENIED access to a safe abortion, when abortion is legal in CAR for cases of rape?
It’s because of a US ban on humanitarian aid.
Read this powerful article from Baroness Kinnock in the Guardian.
On August 12, 1949, the United States signed the Geneva Conventions. Yet, 64 years later we are not living up to our pledge. We provide life-saving medical care to the those “wounded and sick” in war – unless they are young girls and women impregnated through war rape.
That is why, on August 12, 2011, the Global Justice Center launched its August 12th Campaign to end systemic discrimination against girls and women raped and impregnated in armed conflict, who are routinely denied access to safe abortions, even in lifesaving situations and when they’ve been the victim of brutal rape.
We have tremendous progress, but we need your help to WIN.
Help us end this inhumane policy – PLEASE SUPPORT OUR WORK BY DONATING TODAY.
A Few Highlights of our August 12th Campaign:
August 12th, 2011 – The Global Justice Center’s campaign begins.
September 2012 – A coalition representing over 3,300 groups has written letters to President Obama, urging him to issue an executive order lifting U.S. abortion restrictions on humanitarian aid for girls and women raped in armed conflict.
January 10, 2013 – The UK announces a historic change in their policy, acknowledging that girls and women raped in armed conflict have absolute legal rights to abortions when medically necessary under the Geneva Conventions.
March 14, 2013 – For the first time in history, the UN Secretary General makes a recommendation in his annual Report on sexual violence in conflict that aid girls and women raped in armed conflict must include services to terminate an unwanted pregnancy resulting from rape.
April 8, 2013 – The Netherlands affirms the right of war rape victims to have access to safe abortion services.
June 24, 2013 – The UN Security Council unanimously passes Resolution 2106, which for the first time, explicitly calls for UN bodies and donor countries to provide “non-discriminatory and comprehensive health services, including sexual and reproductive health.”
But We’re Not Done Yet! Our Work Continues…
This campaign is far from over!
With support from people like you, we can end to this discrimination and give a voice to women all over the world. DONATE TODAY.