Gendering the green movement

Most often when people think of environmental issues they are not thinking of the effects global warming will have on women specifically. In fact, women’s issues are usually viewed as a completely different entity. Fortunately there are organizations focusing on making these connections.  Women’s Environment & Development Organization or the U.N.’s Commission on the Status of Women have begun to look at climate change from a gender perspective.

Statistically, women are less likely to have access to healthcare, less likely to take part in political decision making about environmental issues and are more likely to be living in poverty. In areas with little or no access to health care maternal and infant mortality rates are much higher. When you begin to add environmental justice issues to the mix, healthy pregnancies become even more difficult and less likely. According to WEDO’s Gender and Climate Change 101,

Children and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to vector and waterborne diseases [their vulnerability often increasing in times of crisis, while] Anemia – resulting from malaria – is responsible for a quarter of maternal mortality.

Global warming is contributing to crisis such as drought, flooding and limited access to safe drinking water, all of these have a more severe affect on people of poor communities that may depend on natural resources. Communities of color also tend to be more negatively impacted by the issues caused by climate change. Organizations like the Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative:

With rising temperatures, human lives—particularly in people of color, low-income, and Indigenous communities—are affected by compromised health, financial burdens, and social and cultural disruptions. These communities are the first to experience the negative impacts of climate change such as heat-related illness and death, respiratory illness, infectious diseases, unaffordable rises in energy costs, and extreme natural disasters. Not only do they bear disproportionate burdens from climate change itself, but also from ill-designed policies to prevent climate change and the side effects of the energy systems that cause it as well. Moreover, those who are most affected are least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions that cause the problem—both globally and within the United States.

As a Latina reproductive justice organization, these connections are very important to NLIRH. Bringing a race and gender lens to the environmental justice work is critical and I am glad to see organizations making these connections.

By Jennifer Leigh Velez, Policy Intern

What’s Up With Health Care Reform?

So you’ve heard the words all over the news.  Public option.  Stupak.  Conference.  Blue Dogs.  Filibuster.  Premiums.  Private market.  Unless you geek out on hours of CSPAN and NPR, talking health care reform can be like speaking in code.

Want to get a breakdown of what it all really means?  Are you wondering how everything going down in DC will affect you?

Hop on a call TODAY, November 24th, at 1PM EST with young people from across the country, hosted by Choice USA and the Generational Alliance.  Hear  NLIRH Deputy Director Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, along with the National Coalition for LGBT Health, Choice USA and the NAACP talk about health care reform.  Learn what the Bills say, what the voting process looks like, where reform is, and what’s at stake in it for you, your family and your community.  The call is for anyone and everyone who wants to up their health care IQ.  RSVP here before the call fills up! Once you’re on the list, you’ll receive the phone number to call into.

Rally for health care reform in DC on Dec 2nd: Free bus ride for NYC activists

Women and Immigrants are being left on the sidelines of health care reform, join us to protect the health and rights of Latinas and their families!

Are you in the Tri-State area?

Join the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), along with other groups, in DC on Wednesday, December 2nd. We’ll participate in a rally/press conference and lobby Congress to pass a health care reform bill that protects the health and rights of women and immigrants.

The trip is FREE OF CHARGE and we will provide snacks and drinks on the bus. The bus will leave as early as 6:00 am from NYC and we will return that night.

RSVP to Stephanie Alvarado, Stephanie@latinainstitute.org or 212-422-2553 by Wednesday, November 25th and make sure to include your cell phone number. We will then confirm your spot on the bus and provide you with further details. Don’t miss this opportunity to join thousands of people in support of real health care reform!

Reproductive justice resonates in Texas

The women of the Texas Latina Advocacy Network are always ready and willing to do what it takes in order to organize a successful event. This last visit proved to be no different that the rest. With two workshops to scheduled, it was clear that the activists and I had our work cut out for us. One always has to expect the unexpected and be prepared to handle it with confidence and stride, and when we were faced with a last minute tragedy, we came together as a team and completed the two back-to-back trainings successfully. If it had not been for the resilience of the Texas LAN group, the scheduled workshops would not have been possible and would not have been so successful.

We facilitated two workshops; the first day hosted about 30 women and the second hosted 15 women all ready and engaged to learn about Reproductive Justice and how they can organize campaigns around the different reproductive justice related issues in their communities.  Each day brought new perspectives and new insights as to how RJ can be applied in their every day lives, work of promotoras, and community leaders. It was a wonderful example of how a community can rally to meet their goals and execute flawlessly. The team spirit and dedication was truly inspirational, it was activism and grassroots organizing at its best. Without obstacles, one cannot grow or become a stronger person, and the women of our Texas LAN are well learned when it comes to facing obstacles head on a daily basis.

By Stephanie Alvarado, National Field Organizer

Experiences from the SisterSong Membership Meeting 2009

Two weeks ago I attended the Sister Song Conference in Washington DC. The conference brought together organizations working on reproductive justice. While the common thread amongst them was reproductive justice, groups were represented who work to promote HIV awareness, advocate for reproductive rights, and the connections between environmental justice and its role in reproductive health.

Saturday’s events were kicked off by an amazing performance. Then SisterSong’s national staff introduced themselves and warmly welcomed the members. Several sessions followed, including an update on Obama’s year in office and an activity on self-help. Reminders of the support that existed in that were room were mentioned, reinforcing that the organizations were there to inspire and empower each other.

Several things caught my eye that weekend. The all-gender bathrooms were one of them. It was a great way to set the standard of tolerance and remove any potential judgment. This created an environment that allowed us to embrace the diversity that existed among us. During the conference, free HIV testing was also offered. I appreciated this opportunity because it was a perfect example of people taking action to provide themselves with necessary resources that are not always available to many.

Because of the timing of the conference, which happened to fall on the day that health care reform was being debated in the House of Representatives, a last minute advocacy plan was put together. Everyone on the SisterSong staff organized the most effective way to speak with our representatives on Capitol Hill.  350 women of color and allies in attendance headed over to the Hill to talk to key offices. It was a powerful site. At the end of the night we were not able to beat the Stupak Amendment, but we showed a strong presence on the Hill that evening.

Overall, I learned a lot in those two days. I was reminded that despite living in the same country, everyone does not receive the same rights that they are entitled to. Several people shared their stories of personal reproductive injustice. One man summarized the numerous injustices that occurred against women in his town. This conference in general was a continuous reminder or the importance of education. By educating both men and women we can protect our current obtained reproductive rights and gain many more that we deserve. Knowledge is power and without it no one can progress.

By Elizabeth Rivera, Research Intern

Bievenidos a Miami (Welcome to Miami)!

For my first trip to Miami as National Field Organizer, it was truly an amazing experience to see MI-LOLA (Miami International Latinas Organizing for Leadership and Advocacy) in action.

On October 18, 2009 the women of MI-LOLA in Miami, FL hosted an event that introduced Immigration as a Matter of Reproductive Justice. They collaborated with worker’s rights organization Unite for Dignity, who is part of the Reproductive Justice Alliance in Miami. Together they hosted a great educational and interactive event in which the members of MI-LOLA facilitated a reproductive justice 101 workshop and NLIRH facilitated a workshop on the connections between reproductive justice and immigration rights.

Conversations were rich, meaningful, and memorable. People were engaged by each others stories and through those interactions emerged a consciousness of what immigration has to do with reproductive justice. The women not only made the connections but also validated those connections by continuing the conversation during a follow up event on November 2, 2009, specifically dedicated to immigration and reproductive justice.

MI-LOLA along with its partner organizations in the Reproductive Justice Alliance demonstrates the tenacity it takes to continue to organize and educate people on the importance of the inclusion of Latina immigrants in the reproductive justice movement.

By Stephanie Alvarado, National Field Organizer

Why YOU Need to Speak Up About Health Reform

Throughout this health care reform fight, women of color have been organizing and telling Congress what we need for health care reform. Our voices have never been more crucial.

On October 27, 2009, the Women of Color United for Health Reform, a coalition led by the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH), hosted a call-in to encourage Latin@s, and their family members, to let their Congressmen know that we demand a national health care system that works for us. A day later, Choice USA hosted a different call-in, encouraging individuals to contact their Congressmen and demand the Hatch Amendment be removed from the Senate Finance Committee’s version of healthcare reform. The amendment allots $50 million to fund abstinence-only programs in public schools.

On October 20, 2009, Women of Color United for Health Reform also hosted a conference call with senior White House officials about the needs of women of color in health reform. With over 400 participants, and various media hits, the conference call was successful in letting the current administration know that as women of color, we are tired of being ignored when it comes to our health care needs.

Civic participation is one thing Latin@s NEED to work on. Our voting records prove it; we are not as involved in the American political process as we should be. The Latino population is estimated to include 30,000,000 individuals. Out of these, approximately 19,500,000 are Latino citizens of voting age.  Yet, only 11, 608,000 are registered to vote. Of these, only 9,745,000 voted in the 2008 Presidential elections. This amounts to less than 50% of the qualified Latino population voting. Amongst Latin@s, the percentage is even less – with only 5,000,000 registered Latinas who voted last year.

Needless to say, this makes it easier for the largely white and male Congress to ignore us when making important decisions that affect US directly – such as health reform and our right to safe and legal abortions. This was demonstrated in this weekend’s vote on health care reform legislation in the House of Representatives and the anti-choice amendment that was included.

It is citizen-led actions like these that force Congress to listen to our needs, which will ensure Latin@s get the health care we deserve. So go out and make sure you speak up; if not for yourself, for the 14,985,000 Latin@ daughters, mothers, and sisters that are being neglected at this very moment.

By Veronica Bernance, Communications and Development Intern

Phone call tomorrow to discuss women and immigrants’ access to health care

REAL REFORM: PROTECTING WOMEN AND IMMIGRANTS’ ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Women and Immigrants should not be worse off as a result of health care reform!

We cannot afford to not take action! Take this opportunity to educate yourself and your community around the recent events surrounding Health Care Reform.

What: A virtual cafecito (informal discussion over coffee) to discuss the latest on Health Care Reform and how you can immediately get involved hosted by the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.

Why: While health care reform passed a hurdle in the House of Representatives, women and immigrants were left on the sidelines. Congress included an amendment that singled out and banned most abortions from all public and private health plans in the insurance exchange. They also continue to have a 5 year ban for legal permanent residents to participate in public health programs.  In order to ensure adequate access and coverage for all we must educate and organize our communities to take action to ensure that our needs remain front and center as health care reform advances.

When: Wednesday November 18, 2009 at 5:30pm EST

Where: It’s virtual (on the phone)! So bring your cafecito (coffee), and we will provide the call-in information.

Please reply to Stephanie@latinainstitute.org if you are interested in participating ASAP, and we will respond with the call information and materials.

Seeking asylum, transgender immigrant finds discrimination and abuse in US detention center

Esmeralda: A Transgender Detainee Speaks Out from Breakthrough on Vimeo.

For Esmeralda, being a transgender woman in Mexico was hard enough, but nothing could have prepared her for her experience after being placed in a US detention center. Seeking refuge from the discrimination she had encountered in her homeland, the last place she thought she would encounter the same discrimination was in the very place she was seeking help and compassion. During her time in a US detention center, she was forced to use the washroom in handcuffs, forced to live in isolation without time for recreation, and was forced to perform sexual activities with a male guard. After being treated unjustly for being transgender she started having suicidal thoughts and pleaded to be able to see someone who could help her. After a few months of being ignored and treated inhumanely, she decided to cancel her asylum request and return to Mexico, where life would be better than the harsh circumstances she was facing in the detention center.

Knowing the difficulties and discrimination she would face, Esmeralda found the courage to come back to the US and file for asylum once again. This time she was held in a detention center for men, and frequently feared for her life. However, she was soon granted asylum and now Esmeralda is an advocate for survivors of sexual abuse.

For many women seeking to come to the US in search of a better life for themselves and their family, Esemralda’s story is too familiar. Many women are forced to tolerate verbal and physical abuse and are denied medical attention and visitation rights. These women are sisters, daughters, and mothers forced to be treated inhumanely. We must demand justice for them and countless other who face this brutal reality. Join us in asking congress to restore fairness today!

By Krystal Chan, Development and Communications Intern

Victory for Reproductive Justice Advocates: CDC Removes Discriminatory HPV Vaccination Requirement for Immigrant Women and Girls

Today, the CDC published a rule that finalizes a set of criteria for evaluating whether vaccinations recommended by the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices should become automatic requirements for immigrants.

Starting December 14, 2009, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will no longer be a required vaccination for immigrant women and girls.

NAPAWF, NLIRH and CLRJ opposed the mandatory vaccination requirement when it took effect in July 2008, and worked together with national, state and local partners in the reproductive justice, women’s health, immigrant rights, medical and public health movements to remove the mandate. Organizations from around the country sent letters to the CDC opposing the rule and submitted comments in support of the proposed criteria. This was an important victory for the reproductive justice movement and showcased the power of cross-movement building strategies to secure reproductive justice and bodily autonomy for the most vulnerable women and girls.

Read the full press release here.