Samantha Karlin’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

Incarcerated women face challenges that are often overlooked. On November 14, we explored ways to support systems-impacted women through: 🫶 Offering trauma-informed care 🏥 Ensuring access to the healthcare women need 👩🎓 Expanding opportunities for educational and economic opportunities 👨👩👧👧 Strengthening bonds through parenting programs and family visits 🤗 Creating safe, supportive environments in prisons As Kenia Miranda Verdugo shares, it is time we create systems that prioritize women’s health, dignity, and reentry success. Let’s invest in a future that empowers all women: https://lnkd.in/gg5Qmdhk

📢 Gender-based violence isn’t just a social issue—it’s a public health crisis. Violence against women has devastating effects on physical, mental, and reproductive health. As part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the health sector plays a crucial role in prevention and care. From strengthening healthcare systems to offering empathetic support, we must ensure survivors receive the care and dignity they deserve. Consent means actively agreeing to be sexual with someone. It ✅ must be freely given ✅ must be explicit in words or actions ✅ must be specific to each act ✅ can be withdrawn at any time Respect boundaries. Support survivors. #EndViolence against women and girls. Let’s work together to make this a reality. Read more on the campaign, visit the official WHO page: https://lnkd.in/gm_z_kjp #GenderEquality #16DaysOfActivism #EndGBV #SRHR #SGBV #EndVAW #PublicHealth #UHC #16Days #Empowerment #EndViolence #SDG5 #GlobalHealthInitiative #WomenEmpowerment #TogetherForChange #IBPNetwork

🔴 1 in 3 women has experienced physical or sexual violence during her lifetime. To fight #ViolenceAgainstWomen, we support a multidisciplinary approach that places human rights and the fight against #GenderBasedViolence at the heart of our health initiatives. 🌍 In 2022, only 14% of women lived in countries offering robust legal protection for their fundamental rights. Every project we fund is a call to rethink how health systems and societies recognize and respond to #GenderBasedViolence. Beyond fieldwork, these are long-term commitments to building environments where health, dignity, and justice prevail over discrimination and silence. Learn more about our funded projects 👉 https://lnkd.in/gMrseaW8

How can we as a community provide support to survivors?   Here are some actionable steps we can take:   🔸 Education programs on consent: Implement education programs emphasizing the importance of clear, enthusiastic consent and the inability to give consent when incapacitated, unconscious, or under the influence. Increased prevention efforts and awareness initiatives can reinforce these crucial messages. 🔸 Address root causes: Still within the purview of programs, develop prevention programs targeting the root causes of sexual assault. Address topics such as gender inequality, toxic masculinity, and rape culture prevalent in our societies.   🔸 Create safe spaces for survivors: Establish safe spaces for survivors where their experiences are believed and validated. This is a way to encourage open dialogue and empowers survivors to seek help.   🔸 Comprehensive Support Services: Beyond safe spaces, access to comprehensive support services is an important need for survivors. This includes crisis hotlines, counselling services, medical care, legal assistance, and advocacy organizations. Advocate for funding and resources to sustain and expand these vital services.   🔸 Challenge and speak against norms: Speak against norms such as victim-blaming, stereotypes, and cultural practices that perpetuate sexual violence. Promote a culture of respect and accountability.   🔸 Access to Justice: Advocate for stronger laws and policies that hold perpetrators accountable. Remove barriers to reporting and improve investigation and prosecution processes to ensure survivors have access to justice.   🔸 Amplify Survivor Voices: Provide opportunities for survivors to share their stories, advocate for change, and participate in decision-making processes, while ensuring utmost confidentiality for those who choose. Supporting survivors requires both community-wide efforts and individual support. We as individuals must also create spaces free of judgment, validate survivors' experiences, protect and support them. To every survivor: You are not alone. You are not to blame. You deserve support, understanding, and healing.   #SupportSurvivors #EndSexualViolence #CommunitySupport #SexualAssaultAwareness #EndSexualAssault 

Did you know that African American mothers are 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white mothers? For Native American mothers, the risk is even higher—8x more likely. These heartbreaking disparities highlight the urgent need for action. The Birth Justice Collaborative is addressing the systemic racism in healthcare to ensure that all families receive the support and care they need. #BirthJustice #BirthJusticeAdvocacy #MaternalMortalityDisparities #MaternalHealthCrisis #DisparityReductionNow

📈 Did you know? Each year, 2 million women reenter their communities after incarceration, facing unique challenges that require specialized support. Discover how collaborative efforts between criminal justice and behavioral health agencies can enhance reentry outcomes. Join our webinar with the National Resource Center for Justice-Involved Women to explore practical strategies and insights: https://bit.ly/3YuNPAc

In our #GBVKnowledgeSynthesis project with Women's Centres Connect we read and synthesized some key GBV-related reports and a key recommendation across reports was that investment and priority need to shift away from carceral responses to GBV toward a public health prevention approach encompassing prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing. GBV is not resolved well by the criminal justice system, often retraumatizing and adversarial. Systemic racism, bias and stereotyping in courtrooms contribute to low reporting, victim blaming and over incarceration of Indigenous and marginalized populations. Legislation, training and responses need to continue to evolve but greater investment in prevention is more impactful to shifting GBV rates and ensuring better responses. Addressing poverty, safety strategies, and the availability of services and supports are all part of GBV prevention but so is ensuring those services can respond to the complexities of GBV for survivors and perpetrators across all populations, particularly marginalized. The GBV sector can inform prevention efforts by training law enforcement, legal and health care professionals, educators, child protection workers, & others on: • Challenging gender norms, unhealthy masculinities & trans/homophobia • Consent, healthy relationships • Bystander interventions • Victim-blaming & hyper-responsbilization • Warning signs and risk factors for GBV • Unique barriers and needs of diverse survivors of GBV #gbvknowledgesynthesis

Such important work that shows clearly that "investment and priority need to shift away from carceral responses to GBV toward a public health prevention approach encompassing prevention, early intervention, response, and recovery and healing." YES. We need investment in these areas to address what is such a significant issue in our province, and across the country.

Today marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global crisis with devastating consequences for women’s health, safety, and well-being. At FIGO, we recognise that GBV is not only a societal challenge—it is a public health emergency that endangers the lives of women, mothers, and children. We stand in solidarity with global efforts to end GBV and fully support the PMNCH #WHA77 Resolution, which prioritises maternal and child health while addressing the root causes of violence. Together, we can break the cycle of violence and build a future where every woman and child can live free from harm. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3YUPcrJ #NoExcuse #PartnersForChange #EndGBV #16Days