The fight for reproductive justice takes different shapes in different countries. Here in the United States, where President Trump destroyed longstanding protections for women seeking a safe abortion, activists and doctors in many states are still scrambling to forge a path back to a country that respects women’s bodily autonomy. In this edition of Stories of Hope, we’re drawing inspiration from across the Atlantic.
A longtime AJWS partner in Kenya, Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH), is a member of a groundbreaking movement of more than 70 grassroots organizations spanning Africa — all working to ensure that women can realize a most basic human right: the right to choose. Just last year, they reached over 150,000 women.
To be clear — this is dangerous work. Activists in Kenya advocating for, or helping women access, safe abortion services face threats of arbitrary arrests, legal prosecution, stigmatization and even potential physical harm. For the safety of TICAH and other movement members, we can’t publish their names.
But know this: Right now, in a moment when reproductive rights are under attack here in the United States and around the world, AJWS is supporting key players risking their lives to fight back. And from their courage, our hope swells immeasurably. Read this month’s spotlight story, and yours will, too.
The Stakes are High in the Pan-Africa Fight for Safe Abortions
More Stories of Hope
- In Haiti, activism has never been more important. As Haitians remain in the grips of ceaseless gang violence and lack any government support, brave activists and pro-democracy organizations are holding the country on their shoulders. And when disaster strikes, they’re on the front lines. Meet SOKIJA — an AJWS partner of young Haitian leaders rebuilding society, and after recent flooding, rebuilding homes as well.
- The fight for human rights can be exhausting. And one thing replenishes activists’ energy more than anything else: community. Step into the tightknit community of La CEIBA, a collective of queer Afro-descendant women and migrants in the Dominican Republic — and learn how radical joy and belonging shapes their fight for LGBTQI+ rights.
Supporting Haitians to Rebuild After the 2010 Earthquake
In 2010, a devastating earthquake shook Haiti to its core. The quake killed over 300,000 people and left 1.5 million people without homes. In this time of absolute crisis, AJWS partners and the AJWS community sprang into action. Our donors helped us raise $6.5 million to support women, LGBTQI+ communities and the rural poor in the hardest-hit areas. In just one example, AJWS funding enabled a partner organization to distribute lamps to 800 women to help prevent rape and abuse of women and children at night, when there was little electricity available (above photo by Evan Abramson).
Many crises have befallen Haiti since 2010, but AJWS and our partners remain steadfast in our commitment to support local Haitian activists to lead recovery, rebuilding and resiliency efforts.
Take Action!
As you read above — Haiti is in the midst of multiple crises exacerbated by unchecked gang violence and a lack of government support. More than one million Haitians have been forced to flee their homes, and millions more are enduring famine-like conditions, accelerated by the slashing of U.S. foreign aid. But there is one powerful action you can take to help the people of Haiti right now. Members of Congress recently introduced the Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act, which would use the power of our government to address corruption, gang violence and drug trafficking. Please — click here to easily contact your member of Congress and urge them to support this bill!
From Haiti and the Dominican Republic, across Africa and beyond — the activists and organizations that AJWS supports are fighting fear with joy, oppression with inclusion. Thank you, sincerely, for standing with us.