Michael Reese Health Trust’s Post

Today we are hosting a difficult yet much needed session addressing the impact of female genital mutilation experience by the women in our communities. This event will take place from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, and our subject matter expert is Dr. Kemi Amodu. FGM is a severe form of gender-based violence, physical assault, and a human rights violation rooted in patriarchal violence. It has no place in our culture, faith, religion, or spirituality. So, let's come together to raise this awareness and work towards its eradication. This awareness also includes the gaps within the Healthcare systems in supporting victims that are survivors of FGM. Lastly, we will also discuss the importance of communities that are direct recipients of this form of gender-based violence and assaults be the center of leading these sensitive discussions, and it cannot come from individuals that are politically using it as a rhetoric to demonize and further isolate the same communities and victims that stands firmly against this form of gender-based violence perpetrated on women and girls. Reserve your spot by scanning the QR code or visiting https://bit.ly/446NhkD #EndGBV #HealthAdvocacy #BlackWomensHealth #FGM #EndFGM #GenderbasedViolence #BlackHealth #BlackHealthInitiative

"Put prevention front and centre, including: Adopting a public health approach to preventing #VAWG, including funding and delivery of multi-year, long-term effective public communication campaigns and community responses that challenge harmful social norms and perpetrator and bystander behaviour." So reads one of the manifesto recommendations of the End Violence Against Women Coalition. Will this year see an election focused on safety and prevention of marginalised communities? We really hope so – and EVAW's clear snapshot report makes progress simpler than ever. https://lnkd.in/gAZAGqri

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! Native American women have the highest rates of sexual assault and domestic violence in the United States. Despite this alarming statistic, out of the 575 tribal nations across the country, there are only 55 sexual assault and domestic violence shelters available to provide support and refuge for survivors. This stark disparity underscores the urgent need for increased resources, funding, and support to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence within Indigenous communities. Healing, restoration, and trauma-informed care are essential for recovery. While the need for healing-based resources is overwhelming, it is not impossible. Support the healing initiatives of Indigenous women and people by backing Not Our Native Daughters. Solidarity among women is crucial for fostering awareness and healing in native-led approaches. Text GIVE NATIVE to 44-321 to support and or email us to find ways we can collaborate: notournativedaughters@gmail.com #sexualAssaultAwarenessMonth #DomesticViolence #Indigenous #IndigenousWomen #ProtectAllWomen #notournativedaughters

As we conclude the 16 days of Activism, we cannot stop the fight here. It is still deeply concerning that cases of SGBV, including femicide, continue to rise across the country. Unfortunately, there exist gaps in enforcement of polices addressing SGBV, a backlog of unresolved cases, and lack of awareness among the general public on the available policies addressing SGBV. These barriers and other restrictive social norms hinder the ability of survivors to seek and get justice. At AMREF through the Power to Youth Project, we are committed to addressing these challenges through: ·        Collaborating with state actors to support the formulation, review and implementation of SGBV policies in various counties to ensure they are comprehensive and responsive to the needs of survivors. ·        Working together with Court Users Committee to fast track hearing and resolution of pending cases of SGBV. ·        Organizing community forums to raise awareness about the existing SGBV policies and resources. At PtY, we simplify these policies into lay language to empower communities with knowledge and encourage survivors to seek support. ·        Empowering youth advocates through continuous capacity building, linking and learning to strengthen their involvement in advocacy and social accountability to enhance the implementation of policies addressing SGBV. ·        Working with societal actors (religious leaders, chiefs, etc) to amplify, support and promote progressive social norms (Changing social norms), given their influence in the society. Watch our recent podcast where Grace Naserian, Halima Sabwa and team discuss on Ending Violence Against Women https://lnkd.in/d_4a9QvU cc Grace Naserian Halima Sabwa Dennis Ochiel #SGBV #PowerToYouth #AmrefYouthInterventions #Advocacy

Inspite of the fact that most programs and strategies working to end VAC and VAW have mostly developed separately, recent reviews and analyses have identified various intersections between VAC and VAW including: co-occurrence, shared risk factors, similar underlying social norms, common consequences, intergenerational effects, and the period of adolescence as unique period of heightened vulnerabilities to both types of violence. Accordingly, addressing the intersections between VAC & VAW is considered essential for a more effective prevention and response interventions.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a critical public health issue. As we observe the International Day to End Violence Against Women and the beginning of the #16DaysOfActivismAgainstGBV, South Africa's theme, “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence Against Women and Children,” calls on us to address the root causes of GBV and Femicide (GBVF). We must promote positive masculinity and create economic opportunities for women and children. Let’s work together to end GBV and build a safer, more equitable future. #16DaysOfActivism #StopGBVF #EndGBV #WitsRHI30

Despite its prevalence, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) remains a largely hidden and stigmatized issue in the South Asian community. This eye-opening article is an insightful analysis of how stigma and patriarchal structures shield abusers while silencing survivors. From societal expectations to healthcare barriers, how South Asian women are often denied the support and care they desperately need.  It's time to break the cycle and amplify the voices of those silenced by IPV. Read more to understand the urgency of addressing this pressing issue. #maitribayarea #EndIPV #BreakTheSilence #SouthAsianCommunities

This important report, hot off the press as of April 2024 by Population Institute, highlights practices that many people don't even realize are happening in the United States - child marriage, FGM, and femicide. As pointed out, "A September 2022 report from the Violence Policy Center shows a 24% increase in femicide in the United States between 2014 and 2020 - And women in the United States are 28 times more likely to die by firearm homicide than women in other high-income nations. There is a dire need for early prevention strategies and awareness-building, improved surveillance and research, and preventative laws."

🚨 Global estimates suggest that more than half of the world’s children aged 2-17 experienced physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse during the past year, and that 1 in 4 children under the age of 5 live with a mother who has experienced intimate partner violence. We know that violence against children and violence against women are intimately connected in many ways - yet we don't know enough about what interventions can help prevent both of these forms of violence. This is why we partnered with the World Health Organization and the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) to ask policy makers, practitioners, advocates, and survivors from 50 countries: What kind of knowledge could help us simultaneously reduce violence against children and women and respond to survivors’ needs❓ Find out more about the shared global research agenda and the research priorities identified, here: https://uni.cf/43ijmpv Avni Amin, Elizabeth Dartnall, Claudia Garcia Moreno, Floriza Freire Gennari, DrPH, Anik Gevers, and Alessandra Guedes. #endviolence

Despite the known intersections between violence against women and violence against children, these two fields typically work in silos. These issues often occur at the same time, and share risk factors. That's why I'm so excited to see this collaborative exercise in creating joint research priorities. It's not surprising that some of the top questions relate to defining the core elements that would make integrated programming effective, adapting existing best practices in each field to address other forms of violence, and improving collaboration and coordination through better use of evidence, a common language, and methods. Now let's get to work to answer these important questions!