VAWA is being introduced TODAY!: Your civic action to-do list for 3-8-21
Happy International Women's Day!
On March 23rd, join other grasstops activists at JWI's Virtual Advocacy Day to influence how your senators vote on important issues that impact women and girls.
3. The bipartisan Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 (VAWA) is being introduced in the House of Representatives today!
In a nutshell: This VAWA bill responds to the very real, identified needs of survivors and communities across the country by preventing future violence, enhancing and expanding services for survivors, investing in culturally-specific organizations, and improving access to justice for survivors. Now is not the time to maintain the status quo, nor is it acceptable to turn back the clock and reduce access to safety and justice for victims and survivors.
Take action: Email your representative using our easy two-click automated system, and tell them to cosponsor VAWA.
2. While the world grapples with the COVID-19 public health crisis, we cannot ignore the gun violence epidemic that also devastated communities last year, taking more than 100 lives every day in 2020.
In a nutshell: Two important background check bills were introduced in the House last week -- H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021. These commonsense pieces of legislation would significantly enhance public safety.
Take action: Email your representative using this template and tell them to support these two bills!
1. Everyone deserves the safety and dignity of basic health care, but the Helms Amendment hinders wanted and needed access to reproductive health care for millions of women around the world.
In a nutshell: The Helms Amendment bars foreign aid from going to toward abortion. Repealing this dangerous policy could prevent 19 million unsafe abortions a year, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Take action: The Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act (legislation that repeals the Helms Amendment) is being introduced on Tuesday. Use this social media toolkit to engage in the conversation and uplift this important bill.
Join JWI’s community of grasstop activists for ongoing opportunities to learn, engage, and make a difference through our Vote-and... campaign!
