What is Safe from the Start Act? House unites to combat gender-based violence during Covid-19-like emergencies
New York Democratic Representative Grace Meng on Monday, February 1, along with House colleagues Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Chris Stewart (R-UT) and Louis Frankel (D-FL) announced that they introduced the Safe from the Start Act aiming to better the US’ efforts to tackle gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies the world over and back standards for prevention, mitigation and response to such offenses.
Along with Meng, Frankel and Diaz-Balart are also members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations while Stewart sits on the Appropriations Committee and Houlahan on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The bipartisan legislation would work on improving and codifying the USAID’s (United States Agency for International Department) Safe from the Start Initiative — a program aimed at preventing, mitigating and responding to the needs of women and girls in crises like natural calamities, pandemics and wars. The law would also give Congress oversight of its implementation.
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Pandemic sees rise in gender-based violence
It has been seen that gender-based violence increases dramatically in times of emergencies and in times of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it has been noticed even more. Women and girls have been found to be exposed to domestic violence in times of the pandemic besides suffering from lack of medicine and telehealth and financial hardships. An estimated 1 in 5 women was found to be experiencing sexual violence in times of humanitarian emergencies.
“We have long known that women and girls are exposed to gender-based violence during international crises,” Meng said, according to a press release. “Today, we have the resources and tools to prevent unspeakable crimes from being committed to ensuring they can thrive. The Safe from the Start Act seeks to build and improve on the initiatives already implemented by the State Department and USAID."
"This is particularly true in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, as women and girls face increased risk of GBV. Protecting women and girls from gender-based violence is a nonpartisan issue and I look forward to our bill becoming law,” Meng added.
“The global risk of gender-based violence increases significantly during emergencies, such as natural disasters, refugee crises and unrest,” Diaz-Balart said. “As lawmakers, we must provide the necessary resources to mitigate and prevent these heinous acts from happening. I am proud to, once more, join my colleagues to cosponsor this critical legislation.”
“Every time I think about the Safe from the Start Act, I think, how is it that in 2021 we still need this legislation? Women and children are running from physical danger only to find more physical danger. Safety and security is a ‘basic need‘ just like food, water, and shelter,” said Rep Houlahan. “It seems unbelievable that Congress would even need to say that, or even that this legislation isn’t being introduced with every single member of Congress as a co-sponsor.”
“America will always defend and support the most vulnerable—at home and abroad,” said Stewart. “In times of crisis and conflict, Americans continuously step up and show compassion through leading humanitarian efforts. This bill builds on those values by ensuring children and women across the world are protected from gender-based violence.”
“In order for women and girls to reach their full potential, they must be able to live a life free from violence,” Frankel said. “We know that women and girls are at their most vulnerable when their countries are in crisis, which can lead to an increase in sexual violence and a decrease in access to reproductive care."
"This legislation would ensure that our government addresses gender-based violence in humanitarian crises. When women and girls are safe, secure and empowered, their communities have greater prospects for peace and prosperity,” Frankel added.
Rights platforms welcome legislation
Tarah Demant, director of Gender, Sexuality, and Identity Program, Amnesty International USA, said every person has the right to live a life free from violence but yet 1 in 3 women across the planet are in danger of facing violence and in case of humanitarian emergencies, women and girls fall more vulnerable to violence.
Michelle Nunn, CARE USA President and CEO said that it is important that the US commits itself to address gender-based violence in its humanitarian response efforts.
She said in times of the Covid-19 crisis, 15 million more cases of gender-based violence are caused globally since the virus causes shutdowns every three months. “CARE strongly endorses the Safe from the Start Act for bringing attention to these issues and for standing alongside women and girls as they demand safety, rights and dignity,” she said.