In some countries, the rate is as high as 70 percent of all women.

Every 26 seconds, it’s estimated that someone, at times a child or baby, will be raped in South Africa, where the rate of rape is the highest in the world.

Stand up against violence against women today >

As these shocking numbers illustrate, violence against women and girls is one of the most pervasive major human rights violations worldwide. Despite recognizing the gravity and scope of these violations, the global response to violence against women remains woefully inadequate.

Right now, however, there is a bill in Congress that could have a major impact on this issue and help millions of women around the world.

The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) would, for the first time, integrate strategies to prevent and address violence against women and girls into US foreign assistance programs.

Send a letter to your elected representatives in Congress today asking them to speak out against violence against women and girls by co-sponsoring IVAWA >

We need to do everything in our power to get our elected officials to help stop the rape and violence that leaves women and girls with long-term physical and psychological scars – and tears apart communities.

Passing IVAWA would be a major step toward ending this violence.

Ask your elected representatives in Congress to co-sponsor this bill and help change the lives of women and girls all over the world >

Thank you for all that you do,

– The Change.org Team in partnership with CARE

Ask Congress to stop the rape and abuse of women worldwide.