The United Nations has recognized that rape and sexual violence are used as weapons of war. Yet, such violence continues unabated. And in Darfur, women confront the reality of gender-based violence every day.

We now have an opportunity to change that reality. But years of good intentions and lackluster results have made clear that fighting sexual violence abroad requires more than a memo tasking already overworked and disparate offices with tackling a problem bigger than any one bureau. It requires a dedicated owner with the staff necessary to ensure that good intentions lead to tangible actions. We therefore urge you to direct the U.S. Department of State to establish the infrastructure and mechanisms necessary to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

There can be no question that the policy of the United States is to condemn and combat violence against women and girls, and to promote and assist other governments, multilateral institutions, and NGOs in preventing and responding to such violence. This is especially true in the case of Darfur. For conflicts such as Darfur, where rape and sexual violence are regularly used as weapons of war, the need for an urgent and sustained response is even greater.

The people of Darfur have waited far too long for help in protecting themselves, their wives, and their daughters from these horrendous crimes. For the women of Darfur, there is no time to waste. Tell Secretary of State Clinton, the time for real change is now. Send this message to her today.

Fill out the petition and we will deliver your message, along with the messages of other activists, to ensure that the critical steps laid out in the International Violence Against Women Act ? as introduced in the last Congress and cosponsored by yourself, President Obama, and Vice-President Biden ? are implemented to protect women and ----girls in Darfur.