Our Work
YWCA Greater Cincinnati advocates on public policy that directly advances our mission and vision and clearly promotes our three signature platforms, which are Racial Justice & Civil Rights, Safety of Women and Girls, Empowerment & Economic Advancement of Women & Girls.
Priority Areas:
Racial Justice
Current events have exposed the vast inequities that continue to exist in our nation. Racial disparities are increasing and further divide us. This is the most critical issue facing us today. We’re at a turning point in our nation that requires all of us to advocate for change.
Violence Against Women
Violence against women and girls continues to threaten the safety and wellbeing of our community. There has never been a more urgent time to challenge long-held policies that continue to perpetuate the cycle of abuse.
How You Can Help Advocate
If you have a passion for these issues, you can make a difference right now in our community and nationally.
First, stay informed by accessing the information on key issues via our social media sites.
Second, sign up to receive Advocacy Alerts from our agency.
Both of these will provide opportunities to make your voice heard whether it is speaking at a local city council meeting, being a part of a community conversation or event, or writing your legislators to impact policy. We all have our ‘circle of influence’ that we can expand our passion for issues by educating and engaging our friends, family, and neighborhoods through our own social media outlets, church, school, and other community groups.
Focus Areas:
COVID Relief Efforts
National Paid Family Medical Leave
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)
Paycheck Fairness Act
Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Aisha’s Law
Eviction Moratorium
Voting Rights and Accessible Elections
Childcare
Racism as a Public Health Crisis
Electoral Redistricting
School to Prison Pipeline
Bail Reform
Hate Crimes
SAY NO
To bills that stop conversations about our real history and the impact of racism. (House Bills 616, 322, & 327)
SAY YES
House Bill 121 – Spousal Rape
Last year in Ohio, over 130 people died from domestic violence. The numbers of individuals enduring sexual abuse has increased especially in this pandemic. We must eliminate the loopholes in Ohio law that currently do not prohibit rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition, or sexual imposition if the perpetrator is married to the victim.
These current loopholes include:
- For the purpose of preventing resistance, the offender substantially impairs the other person’s judgment or control by administering any drug, intoxicant, or controlled substance.
- The person’s ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired because of a mental or physical condition that the offender knows about or should know about.
House Bill 121 allows prosecution of a person for spousal rape regardless of whether the spouse lives with or apart from the offender and permits a person to testify against the person’s spouse in a prosecution for any of the offenses included in the bill.
It should NOT be legal to sexually abuse your spouse.
JOIN US: Tell your representative to SAY YES to House Bill 121 and end spousal rape.
S.R. 1275/H.R. 2119
Today, we know that approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year and nearly half of the residents in domestic violence shelters supported by the Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA) are children.
FVPSA is critical, lifesaving legislation that survivors rely on. It’s time we told Congress they cannot not hold the funding for these programs hostage.
Since its original passage in 1984, FVPSA has served over 1.3 million domestic violence victims and their children during one of the most vulnerable points in their lives. FVPSA provides critical funding that survivors rely on for domestic violence services such as housing, emergency shelter, transportation, childcare, and medical and legal counseling. Survivors and their families cannot wait for Congress to reauthorize this critical legislation.
It should NOT be impossible for survivors to find shelter.
JOIN US: Tell Congress It’s time to take action to reauthorize FVPSA (S. 1275/H.R. 2119) that includes increased funding for current programs in addition to new investments for prevention and marginalized survivors.
H.R. 1280
The death of Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others are just the latest evidence of the lasting impact of systemic racism and our nation’s brutal history of slavery and violence against Black people and communities of color. They are also yet another demonstration of why action is so long overdue.
The cries for justice, accountability, and an end to police killing of Black people during the Summer of 2020 must not be forgotten. The messages conveyed through signs, sit-in, protests, and other demonstrations across the country and around the world are demanding change for justice.
IT’S ONCE AGAIN TIME TO ACT: DEMAND POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY NOW
On March 3, 2021 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 1280) and took a critical step towards the future of policing and public safety in this country. This bill includes provisions to prohibit no knock warrants in drug cases, bans chokeholds, creates a national use of force standard, and increases the Justice Department’s authority to prosecute officer misconduct. Now, all eyes turn to the Senate.
It’s time for Senators to step up and build upon the successes in the House-passed H.R. 1280 to truly protect and ensure the safety of Black and Brown communities. We are calling on our elected officials to further enhance the bill’s context and expand the foundation to address the deep, critical changes needed in law enforcement.
Police violence and racial disparities have no place in America and it’s time we make our voices heard.
Black lives should matter along with every person of color unjustly killed by the police.
JOIN US: Tell your Senate to SAY YES to House Resolution 1280 to prohibit no knock warrants in drug cases, ban chokeholds, create a national use of force standard, and increase the Justice Department’s authority to prosecute officer misconduct.
GOTV
Help ensure that survivor voices and concerns are at the forefront this election season. Engage with your state and local elected officials on this important issue. Host a candidate forum focused on gender-based violence, a voter registration drive, or other GOTV efforts. Ask questions about the policies and solutions candidates would pursue to prevent gender-based violence and support survivors.
How to call your legislator.pdf
YWCA Greater Cincinnati Advocacy Alert
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For more information about how you can be an advocate for women, girls, and people of color, email info@ywcacin.org