by Julie Mowat (Human Rights Team Co-Chair, AWC The Hague) and Mary Dobrian (VP Global Issues, AIWC Cologne)
At the 2019 Biennial Conference in Edinburgh, Karen Castellon (AWC Berlin) and Julie Mowat (AWC The Hague) took over from Therese Hartwell (FAUSA) as new Co-Chairs of FAWCO’s Human Rights Team. They would like to introduce the Team’s subcommittee chairs and also...
For many years, the Human Rights Team has encouraged FAWCO/FAUSA members and groups to participate in activities to celebrate International Women's Day. This year, numerous individuals and groups planned and/or participated in IWD activities. Congratulations to everyone for taking the time to honor women around the world.
A dozen AWC Amsterdam members and their daughters gathered on International Womens Day...
On Thursday February 28, the AWC Hamburg celebrated National Women’s History Month with a lively panel discussion at the America Center Hamburg. The event was 
co-organized by the club, the America Center and the US Consulate General Hamburg, and was organized to reflect this year’s theme, Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence. AWC President Carol Strametz introduced the event,
March 8—International Women’s Day
The Human Rights Team has historically encouraged FAWCO and FAUSA members to participate in Join Me on the Bridge to celebrate International Women’s Day. Women for Women International initiated the event after women in their programs in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo met on a bridge joining the two countries in a plea for an end to the war...
One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history. This campaign started in 2012 and occurs annually on Valentine's Day. Many activities are planned, including flash mobs, and again this year, the American Women's Club of The Hague participated. Melissa Ryder had a rehearsal at the clubhouse for members to learn the...
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.