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We believe that political advocacy is a necessary agent of change for improving the status of women worldwide. Spark supports political advocacy projects locally and globally which are in line with our values.

Here are some policy initiatives that Spark is supporting:

Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009 (S. 891) (PDF download)

Conflict minerals�cassiterite (tin ore), gold, coltan and wolframite (a source of tungsten) that are used in electronic devices such as cell phones and laptops�are a major source of funding for militia groups in eastern Congo. If passed, this bill would provide the authority and direction for the United States government to help ensure that the mineral trade stops contributing to sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls.

The International Violence Against Women Act of 2010 (H.R. 4594, s.2982) (PDF download)

The I-VAWA supports innovative approaches to ending violence against women globally by promoting services for survivors, holding perpetrators accountable and challenging public attitudes that condone such violence. Violence against women is a human rights violation and a worldwide pandemic - approximately 1 out of every 3 women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.

The Refugee Protection Act of 2010 (S. 3113) (PDF download)

In recent years, restrictive changes to US immigration laws and several court decisions have created barriers to protection and denied refugee status to many deserving individuals. This act addresses these barriers and renews the U.S. commitment to protect refugees. This legislation is particularly significant to Spark because it clarifies the legal standards applicable to the protection of particularly vulnerable individuals, such as women and girls, who have been persecuted or fear persecution based on membership in a �particular social group��their gender.

If you would like to get involved in policy advocacy with Spark, please email programs@sparksf.org.