U.S. government releases first-ever strategy to prevent, respond to gender-based violence globally

"On Friday August 10, the U.S. Department of State and [USAID] released the first ever U.S. Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence Globally [.pdf], including their implementation plans," Melanne Verveer, ambassador-at-large for global women's issues, writes in the department's "Dipnote" blog. "An accompanying Executive Order issued by President Obama was also released, directing all relevant agencies to implement this strategy," Verveer notes, adding, "These efforts highlight the United States' commitment to preventing and responding to gender-based violence around the world" (8/14). In a post in USAID's "Impact" blog, Deputy Administrator Donald Steinberg writes that the strategy, "an interagency response to a Congressional request," "establishes a government-wide approach that identifies, coordinates, integrates, and leverages current efforts and resources" (8/14). A fact sheet on gender-based violence is also available on the White House webpage (8/10).