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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 inline with out values.

Check Out the Federal Legislation Spark Advocated for in DC in May 2009:

Congo Conflict Minerals Act of 2009 (S. 891)

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.

International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2009 (H.R. 2103)

This act recognizes child marriage as a human rights violation. It integrates child marriage prevention approaches throughout U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Roadmap to End Global Hunger and Promote Food Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2871)

This bill restructures the US' approach to the global hunger crises. It addresses the continuum of food security, from emergency response to safety nets and social protection to long-term agriculture development. Such a strategy would increase the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. assistance and address acute as well as chronic hunger.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009 (HR 2454)

This bill includes provisions to support the efforts of developing countries to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change.

Ongoing Advocacy Projects:

Help stop sexual violence in the Congo. Spark joins international women's human rights organizations in condemning sexual violence against women and girls in the DRC.

Here are four things you can do TODAY to stop sexual violence in the Congo:

Educate yourself on what is happening in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sign the letter of solidarity with the Global Fund for Women to support their advocacy effort to end violence against women in the Congo.
Send a letter to your representative describing your outrage on the unchecked use of rape as a weapon of war in the DRC.
Pledge $10 to support Spark's grant for the women in the Congo.

Spark joins the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies to condemn the institutional acceptance of violence against women in Guatemala. For more information on this project, please click here or email Shannon@sparksf.org