jlavelle

Jenn Lavelle


Locked Down, But Never Silent

“Men and women are equal!” “Let us read, let us study!” These are some of the slogans shouted by over 200 girls as part of a rally—organized by AJWS grantee Nishtha—in West Bengal, India, to push for women’s safety and equality in late February of this year. The girls, mostly high-school and college aged, proudly …

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Allies for Equality in Kenya

In the conservative coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, LGBTQI people have faced discrimination, stigma and violence. Some of the community’s boda boda (motorcycle taxi) drivers have participated in vicious attacks against LGBTQI people. But AJWS grantee Initiative for Equality and Non Discrimination (INEND) is working to build a culture of tolerance. Watch this short video …

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#16Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence starts today!

Today marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. We’re participating because we believe that all people—including women and girls—have the right to live free from violence, and to make their own decisions about their bodies, health, and futures.

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Statement by Robert Bank, President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS) on Holding the Ugandan Government and Police Accountable for Human Rights Violations

  Background NEW YORK—On Thursday, August 4, police in Uganda raided a nightclub where an annual LGBTI pride celebration was taking place. In addition to brutalizing participants in the pride event, the police detained leaders of civil society organizations who are engaged in advocacy for the LGBTI community. This attack is part of an overall …

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