Letter: Aid to Victims of Rape

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"Cruelty to Women Overseas" (editorial, March 18) highlights a serious problem in United States policy.

It is indeed cruel for the United States not to assist women who have been raped during conflict and provide access to medical services, including safe abortions, that they require to regain control of their lives. The surprising part is that such cruelty has not been remedied by the Obama administration, a declared friend to women overseas.

In addition to the recommended reinterpretation of the Helms amendment, it would be very simple to remove the policy directive imposed by President George W. Bush that bars United States humanitarian assistance from being used for abortion even in cases of rape during conflict.

To its credit, the United States recently helped marshal an agreement at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women that pledges to address the health consequences of gender-based violence, including through the provision of abortion services.

Yet the women whose lives have been ripped apart by rape should not have to wait any longer. The United States can and should change its policy now.

SERRA SIPPEL
President, Center for Health
and Gender Equity
Washington, March 18, 2013

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