THE TRAGIC ending to LaToyia Figueroa's life was not of her own making.
To the contrary, her death is yet another example, though all too common, of the No. 1 threat to pregnant women's health - men!
Every single day around the globe women of all ages, races, religions, and from all social-economic backgrounds, are victimized and murdered by men they love.
Domestic violence is therefore both a public health and human rights issue. Where is the public outcry and rage over these countless victims?
According to the National Organization for Women, "Domestic Violence is one of the greatest dangers to a woman's life in the United States. Homicide is the 10th leading cause of death for women under 65."
Furthermore, about 30 percent of American women report being physically abused by husbands or boyfriends and every year more than 300,000 American women are forcibly raped and more than 4 million assaulted, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, a national nonprofit group dedicated to preventing domestic violence.
Globally the statistics are more disturbing. Here are some of the deadly acts of violence inflicted upon women by romantic partners, according to the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the Pan American Health Organization:
In Canada, 29 percent of women are physically abused by a husband or boyfriend.
In Nicaragua, 22 percent of women are physically abused by a domestic partner.
In Barbados, 30 percent of women are physically abused by an intimate partner.
In Columbia, 41 percent of women are physically abused by a domestic partner.
In Brazil, 13 percent of female deaths are due to homicide.
Again, I say, where is the public outcry on the war against women?
Resources for women
If you or someone you know is involved in a dangerous relationship, get help. The following is a list of local organizations that aid women who face domestic violence:
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
National Resource Center
6440 Flank Drive, Suite 1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112-2778
Toll free: 800-932-4632
Phone: 717-545-6400
FAX: 717-545-9456
www.pcadv.org
Settlement House, 215-739-9999
Women Against Abuse, 215-386-7777
Women in Transition, 215-751-1111
Congreso Del Latinos Unidos, 215-291-8742
What you can do
You can honor Latoyia Figueroa and all the countless victims of domestic homicide by swiftly moving into action and urging your senators and representatives to co-sponsor and support the reauthorization of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. The anti-violence mission of the VAWA Act must be supported. The VAWA Act expires on Sept. 30. For more information go to http://endabuse.org/vawa/.
Violence against women is a serious threat to women's health worldwide. Every man and woman must demand women's equal rights and protection. *
Comments (2)
Thank you so much, Kimberly, for bringing up a discussion we should have been having long ago. With all these high-profile missing women cases that air 24-7, nobody (present company excepted) ever brings up the obvious topic that we should be discussing in depth. Women, particularly pregnant women, are murdered at an alarming rate by their SOs. Domestic violence is a huge problem in this country and should be addressed, dealt with and remedied rather than sensationalized.
I always knew a woman would broach this topic. Kudos to Kimberly for doing it first.
Posted by Gloria | August 31, 2005 10:53 AM
Posted on August 31, 2005 10:53
Thank you for the info!
Posted by Mond | September 16, 2005 11:10 AM
Posted on September 16, 2005 11:10