FAWCO received this letter from a woman in Iran, explaining the dangerous situation in the country as protests following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini have led to a severe crackdown by authorities, with as many as 15,000 people being arrested. The author, who will remain anonymous...
It’s a 16-day international campaign, from November 25 to December 10, to challenge violence against women and girls. During the 16 Days of Activism, people around the world unite to raise awareness about eliminating gender-based violence, challenge discriminatory attitudes and call for improved laws and services to...
There are many kinds of literacy – basic reading and writing, digital literacy, health literacy, cultural literacy, etc. – but one of the most fundamental is human rights literacy. Understanding our basic human rights is vital for social cohesion – emphasizing our common humanity above our individual differences. Human rights reflect essential human needs, establishing...
Understanding other cultures fosters connection. The world seems smaller today because of our connectivity and access to information. May 21 is designated by the United Nations as World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development in an effort to bring attention to this important issue. Many of the UN SDGs directly...
As the war in Ukraine rages on, the world has been horrified by images and news reports of civilian deaths and stories of sexual violence against women and children. World leaders are calling for investigations into Russia’s actions during the war as possible war crimes.
I talked with Marelie...
After posting this article in March, we heard from FAWCO Representative Nancy Clayton of AWC Antwerp, who reported that the club was making monetary contributions to the following organizations:
WCK-World Central Kitchen* This is José Andrés’s American non-profit organization, which has chefs cook and prepare fresh food and warm meals for...
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.