ITVS film event on Capitol Hill draws attention to violence against women

The Independent Television Service is bringing the PBS film "Pushing the Elephant" to Capitol Hill Thursday (Sept. 16) to raise awareness of violence against women and girls around the globe, according to ITVS. Speaking after the film will be its subject, Congolese refugee Rose Mapendo, who escaped from the genocidal war in the Democratic Republic of Congo in February 2000. PBS President Paula Kerger also will address the audience on the network's role in bringing new and underserved voices to viewers. The event, at 8:30 a.m. in the Rayburn Office Building, is in cooperation with Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Illinois) and Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas). A coalition of NGOs including Amnesty International, the Family Violence Prevention Fund, Women Thrive Worldwide and Refugees International are co-hosts.