Stop Violence Against Women and Girls

March is winding down and so is International Women's Month. But, there is still time to act and sign a petition on the International Rescue Committee's website to stop the sexual violence against women and girls all over the world. Women and girls are being raped as conflict increases in Africa and the fear of the HIV/AIDS pandemic increases as well. Some believe that having sex with a virgin will cure them of AIDS and thus countless girls in Africa, even babies, are being raped. Women and girls are among the most vulnerable in areas of conflict and war. But sexual exploitation and child prostitution is everywhere. I don't know if any of you were able to watch Anderson Cooper 360 last week, but he did some reporting on sexual exploitation of women and girls - the sex slave market, among other things from Thailand and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) as well as Cambodia. This is only one of the areas of the world where this occurs. There are numerous others and we, the public, must be aware and informed.

For more information on the situation of women around the world visit either the Human Rights Watch website, the International Rescue Committee, or the Women's Commission for Refugee and Children. Don't forget to sign the petition on IRC's website and email the petition to others to sign as well.