Governor Cuomo must resign.
Today, independent investigators in New York concluded that Governor Cuomo created a toxic work environment and sexually harassed and inappropriately touched multiple women. These findings clearly show he is unable to lead. He must resign immediately.
This report, however disturbing, is not surprising. We have seen time and time again how men abuse their positions of power and institute toxic cultures that allow for discrimination, abuse, and harassment, all while silencing the victims.
All women deserve to work without the threat of sexual harassment or assault. But, for those who do experience harassment and violence in the workplace, there is a high financial cost: Job loss, lower earnings, and missed opportunities for advancement can have a long-term financial impact on a survivor’s economic security.
We are grateful to the women who came forward to share their stories and to the NYS Attorney General’s office for taking their accounts seriously. We look forward to the day when all survivors feel safe enough to speak truth to power without fear of recrimination.
Jewish Women International (JWI) is the leading Jewish organization working to empower women and girls by ensuring and protecting their physical safety and economic security, promoting and celebrating inter-generational leadership, inspiring civic participation and community engagement, and engaging men as allies in ending gender-based violence. JWI is a Steering Committee member of the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence and convenes the Interfaith Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Clergy Task Force on Domestic and Sexual Abuse in the Jewish Community.