One in three. One in THREE. ONE in THREE.

March 8 is International Women's Day, a day to recognize women's political and social achievements. It is also a day to recognize how far we have yet to go in the global fight for women's rights. As an Emerge Oregon class member of 2010, I think about domestic issues a lot. Today, I am thinking globally.

According to Amnesty International, one of every three women worldwide has been physically or sexually abused during her lifetime, with rates of domestic violence reaching 70 percent in some countries. We know the ways violence against women can be perpetrated: rape, domestic violence, acid burnings, so-called "honor killings." The United States has yet to ratify the UN Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW), but I'm glad to know that the bill (S. 2982) has been re-introduced by Senator John Kerry to address violence against women globally. Known as the International Violence Against Women Act, the bill was originally introduced during the 110th Congress by Senators Joe Biden and Richard Lugar, but didn't come to a vote before Congress adjourned. The I-VAWA was reintroduced on February 4 by bipartisan teams in both the House and Senate.  Amnesty International, Women Thrive Worldwide, and the Family Violence Prevention Fund deserve kudos for helping make this happen.

Here's the deal: I-VAWA directs the U.S. government to create a comprehensive, 5-year strategy to reduce violence in 10-20 diverse countries that have severe levels of violence against women and girls. To achieve this goal, the Act allocates more than $1 billion in U.S. assistance over 5 years and makes ending violence against women and girls a U.S. diplomatic priority. Importantly, the bill also expands U.S. support and capacity for overseas nongovernmental organizations - particularly women's nongovernmental organizations - working to end violence against women and girls in their own countries.This is the first time violence against women will be a diplomatic priority, and will be addressed in a coordinated and integrated way. It also requires that in areas of armed conflict where the U.S. is aware of mass violence against women and girls (such as Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo), the U.S. government will have to act.

Learn more specifics on this Amnesty International page, or read the legislation here.

The Democratic platform recognizes that human rights are women's rights and that women's rights are human rights. I urge fellow participants and alumni to contact their Senators and Representatives to pass this vital legislation for our sisters overseas.

Kristi Jo (KJ) Lewis is the co-founder of Global Sistergoods, and a class member of Emerge Oregon 2010.