Violence Against Women - Iranian Actress, Marizeh Vafamehr, sentenced to 90 Lashes

As we draw awareness to the recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness month in October, it is increasingly clear violence against women is a worldwide concern.An Iranian actress who starred in a film withour wearing the hijab headscarf, Marizeh Vafamehr was arrested in July for a appearing in a film produced by an Australian filmmaker.

I am outraged and appalled at the Iranian government to impose such a harsh sentence on a woman. We need to recognize that violence against women and children is a world wide problem. I am asking all women to stand up and use every media tool at your disposal to bring awareness to this issue. Everywhere women are subject to violent behavior is a threat to our security. We have seen in recent times, the imprisonment of an American hiker in Iran who was accused of entering the country illegally. This is a country known for entrenched vilence against women and its citizens who disagree with the policies of the regime. Further, Iran does not recognize the rights of women.

I am deeply saddened by this action on the part of the Iranian government. I am not surprised that a repressive regime continues to use violent methods to keep its population from expressing their feelings about life in their own country. Thousands of women around the world experience violence to their person every day. In this month and every month I am asking that we pay attention to incidents of violence against women and children. Using all methods available to you, social media, letters and emails to your elected representatives let your voice be heard. It's time to stop the violence.