Resources
In celebration of International Women’s History Month, a friend asked me for a few resources that he could share with his team to review and discuss throughout March. I emailed him a series of linked materials - but figured why stop there? In an effort to tie the multiple themes, sectors, and frames of current women’s+ movements together, I’m excited to share the list here. It is by no means exhaustive - just a place to get started.
#ChooseToChallenge
#StopAsianHate #EndWhiteSupremacy
Stop AAPI Hate - learn more about their 5-prong approach to ending AAPI hate:
– Serve as the leading aggregator of anti-Asian hate incidents
– Offer multilingual resources for impacted community members
– Provide technical assistance from rapid response to preventative measures
– Support community-based safety measures and restorative justice efforts
– Advocate for local, state, and national policies that reinforces human rights and civil rights protections
The Respectful Maternity Care Charter (RMC Charter) clarifies and clearly articulates the rights of women and newborns in the context of maternity care provided within a healthcare facility. It applies to women in every country across the globe, and specifically delineates how human rights are implicated in the context of pregnancy and childbirth and affirms the basic, inalienable rights of women and newborns. Many of these rights are well established in international law and human rights conventions, and have been compiled here in one document.
Even if womxn reviewing the Charter do not have children or don't plan to have children, it's essential for all individuals, including womxn, their families and partners, and their healthcare providers to know their rights when receiving care, as many of these pillars can be applied to individuals seeking any kind of healthcare (ex: everyone has the freedom from harm and ill treatment; everyone has the right to equality, freedom from discrimination, and equitable care, etc.).
Other Resources: White Ribbon Alliance produced a podcast series on each of the 10 basic human rights within the RMC Charter - https://www.whiteribbonalliance.org/bravevoicespodcast/.
Intersection of disability, sexuality, and justice
For folks with disabilities, especially women with disabilities, legal capacity presents some of the biggest barriers to accessing and realizing their sexual and reproductive rights. The removal of legal capacity is also the prominent way that persons with disabilities are sterilized, have their custodial rights removed, and are barred from accessing justice systems, amongst other human rights violations. Additionally, sex ed, family planning, and other sexual health and education opportunities are often not provided to young people with disabilities, resulting in a lack of access to basic health information and commodities.
Womxn with disabilities have sex, too! These videos can also help folks recognize and begin to dismantle ableist ideas, assumptions, and systems within their day-to-day lives.
Media:
- Video of young disability activists chatting about sex: https://youtu.be/AvGNiwR57iI?list=PLQkzaJr8hWvO-2fcvgDbZpfS7aWghvHan
- What women with autism want you to know: https://youtu.be/NwEH9Ui4HV8
IG handles:
@upgradeaccessibility @crutches_and_spice @disability_visibility @ableismistrash @casualableism @positivelydisabled
Shout Your Abortion!
Shout Your Abortion is one of the most powerful platforms I've found when talking to others about abortion - as it is a decentralized network of individuals talking about abortion on their own terms and creating space for others to do the same in art, media, and at community events all over the country. SYA focuses on culture change rather than legal strategies and works to destigmatize choice through storytelling. They also act as a collective rather than a traditional non-profit/LLC in that anyone can start a SYA chapter.
There's a lot of dark stuff happening at the state level in many places (South Carolina, Kansas, Idaho, Arizona, and more...) so I thought this would be a strong place to start for folks who are either comfortable with or becoming more comfortable with discussing the topic of abortion. If folks want to get involved further - they can see if there is a local Shout Your Abortion chapter near them or they can get involved with the DMV Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-metropolitan-washington-dc/get-involved-locally or learn more information on abortion services and advocacy at the National Network of Abortion Funds.
There's also an interactive website that breaks down how abortion is referenced in TV and movies - https://www.ansirh.org/research/abortion/pop-culture
International Women’s Movements
I think everyone is aware of the #MeToo movement and resurgence of gender, racial, and health justice in the U.S. - but it's also helpful to know what's happening in other countries and how womxn are mobilizing for change:
A. In December 2020, Argentina became the third country in South America to permit elective abortions, a landmark moment for women's rights
B. Polish Women's Strike
C. Irish Abortion Referendum
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/ireland-votes-by-landslide-to-legalise-abortion
Leading* BIPOC and LGBTQ_ reproductive justice organizations in the U.S.
These BIPOC- and LGBTQ+led reproductive justice organizations are at the intersection of movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo.
Sister Song - https://www.sistersong.net/reproductive-justice
SPARK Reproductive Justice Now - http://www.sparkrj.org/
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health - https://www.latinainstitute.org/en/who-we-are
In Our Own Voice - https://blackrj.org/
If/When/How - https://www.ifwhenhow.org/
SMYAL - www.smyal.org
National Women's Law Center - https://nwlc.org/
National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum - https://www.napawf.org/
*but definitely not an exhaustive list!!
And here are some folks on TikTok who I recommend following and liking: @jordxnsimone @daejahtalkstv @bootlegmegz @thejesseaton @chamayamoody @chelseahartisme
And on IG!
Foreign aid is having a (much needed!) reckoning
While activists in the Global South have been shouting about the need for foreign aid and its power dynamics to shift dramatically, the Black Lives Matter movement has also given these and new voices new traction. Check out No White Savior's website: https://nowhitesaviors.org/who-we-are/story/ and follow them on IG at https://www.instagram.com/nowhitesaviors/.
I think it's a great opportunity for folks to think about how foreign aid works (especially if they're not as involved in the process), look at how movements can transcend continents, and also reflect on how they donate and who they choose to donate to. When deciding to donate to an organization, I always recommend to doing so directly to local, women-led organizations (domestic or international) rather than to mega organizations based in the U.S. or Geneva who work in other countries.
What Women Want!
This is a little self-promotive, but the methodology is universal! White Ribbon Alliance and 300+ partners asked 1.2 million women and girls around the world their one request for their reproductive and maternal health. We are launching a new What Women Want dashboard soon - for now folks can check out the global findings here: https://www.whiteribbonalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/What-Women-Want_Global-Results.pdf
When it comes to womxn's health and rights - it's essential to not only ask us directly what it is we want, but ensure we are in decision-making and leadership positions to ensure that change occurs.
Self-Defense Classes with Guerrera
Self-Defense Classes - https://www.staynflux.com/guerrera-womens-self-defense
Guerrera is DC's Feminist Fight Club and Women's Self-Defense. The idea behind Guerrera is that women and femmes deserve to feel confident, strong, and powerful in their bodies. They deserve to take up space, to be aggressive, and to know that they are worth fighting for. At the same tie - women are socialized to do the opposite - to make ourselves small, to apologize unnecessarily, to avoid aggression and confrontation at all costs. Countering those forces requires training. They provide intentional self-defense, striking, and grappling programs - the intro class is one that I highly recommend!!
Indigenous Women’s Leadership
This history of indigenous women’s leadership: https://www.representwomen.org/the_history_of_indigenous_women_s_leadership_1
Five native women leaders making history - https://www.teenvogue.com/story/native-american-women-leaders-history
10 indigenous women making the world a better place - https://indiancountrytoday.com/culture/meet-10-indigenous-women-who-are-making-the-world-a-better-place?redir=1
Folks can also put in their zip codes and learn whose native land they currently live on here: https://native-land.ca/ . I've started to hear a lot of introductions include pronouns as well as a land acknowledgement. A land acknowledgement is an optional statement, often given at the beginning of organized events, celebrations and activities, or published in printed materials. A shortened land acknowledgement can also be used for email signatures. The purpose of a land acknowledgement is to recognize, respect and affirm the ongoing relationship between Indigenous people and the land. Land acknowledgements also raise awareness about the Indigenous histories, perspectives and experiences that are often suppressed or forgotten.
IG Likes and Follows:
@indigenouspeoplesmovement @reclaimyourpower @from.the.land.creations @musicindigenous @decolonizemyself
Youths!
Young people, especially those under 18, are sometimes required to notify their parents or even receive permission before accessing an abortion or family planning commodities like a birth control pill, and often lack access to resources like money and ability to travel out of state. Young people want to have bodily autonomy like those over 18 and make decisions for themselves. To mobilize against this - college groups, Planned Parenthood chapters, and more continue to grow and of course - there's lots of stuff happening on TikTok/IG/Twitter.
One group that I think is particularly bad ass (there are 1000s!) are the H*yas for Choice: Georgetown University’s unrecognized reproductive justice organization – they distribute condoms, dental dams, and sexual lubricants; have an “Ask Ang” on sexual health questions; provide spaces on campus where students can discuss, learn, and share ideas about all that reproductive justice entails: from sexual education to guest speakers to discussion events that challenge the often one-dimensional attitudes and actions of mainstream pro-choice spaces. Youth groups like H*yas for Choice are also great because they don't see the world in silos - i.e. they also focus on the impact climate change has on women's health and rights; justice reform; reproductive justice; etc and are advocating for others to see how these are all interlinked, rather than separate issues.
Women in Political Leadership
Emily's List is already a well-known organization - but I think they're always worth highlighting and of course their candidates shift based on upcoming elections. https://emilyslist.org/pages/about-us. They are also a great resource if you or any womxn you know are thinking about running for office. This also links well with two of my fave books that I’m into right now:
The Purpose of Power: How to Come Together when we fall Apart by Alicia Garza. The Purpose of Power is an essential guide to building transformative movements to address complex challenges, and Alicia Garza is one of the country’s leading organizers and a co-creator of Black Lives Matter. This book is incredible - I nearly have every page earmarked and highlighted.
Represent: The Women's Guide to Running for Office and Changing the World - June Diane Raphael and Kate Black. Represent has a strong open with "I have texted a picture of my boobs to people - can I still run for office?" and the resounding answer is YES - which speaks to my soul.
Self-Advocacy
I think the general concept of "self-care" has become pretty mainstream these days - but it goes beyond taking mental health days, taking a bath, or giving yourself a face mask (though these are all great ways to engage in self-care!). Self-care also applies to a person's ability to practice health behaviors and actions; seek information, knowledge, and education; and make the best use of resources. Self-care also works best when paired with self-advocacy - essentially the ability to speak up for oneself and rights. It's important for all folks - womxn in particular, to know their rights and entitlements; negotiate and make decisions for themselves; and be willing and able to use redress channels. Whether a womxn realises they are pregnant and wants to consider having an abortion, choose which birth control is right for them with their partner, or negotiate a salary raise with their supervisor - having the resources to know your rights and the skills and confidence to communicate them are essential!
Here are a few resources for self-advocacy:
- Contraception self-advocacy: https://nwhn.org/contraception-self-advocacy/
- Asking for a raise during COVID: https://www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-ask-for-raise-during-covid-and-should-you
- LinkedIn Tips (as self-branding is also a way to advocate for what your values are!): https://www.themuse.com/advice/linkedin-profile-tips
-Making your voice heard in the workplace: https://www.themuse.com/advice/voice-heard-at-work-women-minorities
Womxn + Movement
Learn more about the Quechua Project: their focus is Indigenous resilience with the mission of intergenerational survival of Quechua language in metro D.C.’s large Bolivian diaspora community. They are a bold act of resistance against centuries of Native erasure across the Americas. The Quechua Project is spear-headed by women - as women have been vital in keeping identity/language/and culture going despite forceful colonization. For more information, check out @quechaproject.
IG Follows:
@adinasdoodles @elifarinango @jasmineshawnaf @inti_phaxsi_gems
@_la_shana_ @undocumason @unitedwedream
Other videos in the news:
- Why undocumented pregnant women don't want to receive care: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/22/us/undocumented-immigrants-pregnant-prenatal.html
-Pregnant, Exhausted, and turned back at the border: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/27/us/border-mexico-pregnant-women.html
Book Recommendation:
Untold: Defining Moments of the Uprooted
Untold is a collection of real stories that explores the South Asian experience in the U.S., U.K., and Canada through the lens of identity, being, and relationships. Thirty emerging voices share deeply personal moments of immigration, infertility, divorce, mental health, suicide, racism, colorism, LGBTQIA+ issues, and more all while balancing the push and pull of belonging to two cultural hemispheres. Every story sheds light on the authentic truths of living as womxn with hyphenated identities that have been only whispered-until now. @NeeshKapish1
The effect of COVID on women’s health and rights
COVID's devastating effect on women and girls (global): https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31679-2/fulltext
Why COVID has impacted black women so badly: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-covid-19-has-impacted-black-women-so-badly_n_602afa11e4b06d64049f1826
Indigenous populations left behind in COVID response: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31242-3/fulltext
Pregnant people’s right to a birth companion in NYC: https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/29/health/new-york-hospital-childbirth-policy-overturned/index.html
Climate Change and Womxn’s Health and Rights
Climate Change disproportionately affects women: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/how-climate-change-affects-women/
Interactive map of how climate change disproportionately affects women: https://www.carbonbrief.org/mapped-how-climate-change-disproportionately-affects-womens-health
Trans Rights are Human Rights
In case there were any questions.
White House defends trans kids in sports: ‘Trans rights are human rights’: https://bit.ly/3sXdBdp
Global Trends in LGBT Rights During the Covid-19 Pandemic: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/24/global-trends-lgbt-rights-during-covid-19-pandemic
White House to Fox News Question: ‘Trans Rights are Human Rights’ https://www.out.com/news/2021/2/10/white-house-fox-news-question-trans-rights-are-human-rights
These States are Trying to Take Away Trans Rights in 2021: https://msmagazine.com/2021/01/15/these-states-are-trying-to-take-away-trans-rights-in-2021/
If you know of any additional resources that could be posted here, please share!