By Karen Lewis, Ending Violence Committee and AODVC Liaison
The Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVC) provides support to American victims of domestic violence in foreign countries, helping them to be able to live their lives free of abuse either in the foreign country or back in the United States. One of the largest barriers that these survivors often...
by Therese Hartwell, Peace and Conflict Committee
Another encouraging development regarding women and conflict involves the formation of organizations to promote the development of women leaders. While war creates tremendous challenges for women and girls, the aftermath of war can create unique opportunities for females to take a greater role in their society. One shining example is Rwanda, a country...
by Therese Hartwell, Peace and Conflict Committee
While war and other violent conflict increasingly rob women of their human rights and their safety and security, all is not bleak. More and more women being affected by conflict are taking matters into their own hands and demanding change, often using uniquely female methods to promote cooperation and reconciliation.
One recent example...
Bridge the Human Rights Gap for Women on International Women's Day - March 8, 2014
Again this year, the Human Rights Team invites FAWCO clubs to observe International Women's Day by meeting at a bridge in your community as a symbol of support for women's human rights.
This campaign began in 2010 in neighboring countries Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which have...
In this special online issue of the newspaper The Guardian, you can learn about the latest issues and trends around the world, and see a video of the Director of UN Women speaking about her priorities. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/series/womens-rights-and-gender-equality-in-focus
Get informed and get involved.
All around the world, women and men, girls and boys will be joining together on February 14 to RISE against violence against women. You can be a part of it. Go to www.onebillionrising.org and look for an event in your community. A truly inspriing film about One Billion Rising 2013 shows you what rising and dancing looks like, how wonderful and...
Ending Violence Against Women is a Committee of the Human Rights Team, addressing issues of domestic violence and sex trafficking, as well as other forms of violence against women. The Ending Violence Team was created in April 2008 to address issues of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation in order to increase awareness and empower those women and children affected. Over the years, the Team has put a spotlight on the issues to get people talking about them. We also promote tangible actions that we can all take to help eradicate these forms of violence. When you look at the facts you see that we still have a long way to go.
1 in 3 women has been sexually assaulted in her lifetime;
Rape continues to be used as a weapon during war and conflict;
Globalization and climate change are having the most profound impacts on women and children who are disproportionately displaced and left without options;
Gender-based violence is an affliction that millions of women and children suffer in silence and shame. Many become victimized by those who are supposed to love and protect them.
Please share these three one-page information sheets on issues of Domestic Violence, how you can help victims of Domestic Violence, and global issues of Violence Against Women with your club members.
For a worldwide listing of domestic violence agencies, see the Hot Peaches website.
You'll find a link to the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVC) website on our homepage under Domestic Violence.
For more information or to get involved, contact the Committee Co-Chairs.
Co-Chair, Global Issues, Tonya Teichert at .
Tonya Teichert (AWC The Taunus)
Co-Chair, Global Issues
Co-Chair, Domestic Violence and AODVC Liaison, Karen Lewis at aodvc@fawco.org.
Karen Lewis (FAUSA)
Co-Chair, Domestic Violence and AODVC Liaison
Women Peace and Security is a committee within the Human Rights Team. Its goal is to raise awareness about violence against women in conflict zones and the role of women in the peace-keeping process.
The theme of women and conflict resonates with the very origins of FAWCO. According to The Red Book, FAWCO: A History 1931-2011:
Caroline Curtis Brown founded FAWCO on the belief that "enlightened women, working cooperatively throughout the world, could do much to help achieve permanent international peace; and that this was especially true of American women living abroad who had acquired special experience in living in foreign lands among foreign people and foreign customs. Their American clubs not only provided a home away from home, she felt, but also served to promote sympathetic awareness of the needs and problems in countries other than the United States." Our founder's words are perhaps even more relevant today than in her own time. In our globally connected world, wars have a real impact on the lives of all of us, even when they occur in a distant land. A peaceful world benefits everyone.