Thursday, February 10, 2005
Feminists for Life has become an NGO at the UN
Feminists for Life (FFL) has been designated as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
"We look forward to sharing our message that Women Deserve Better® with international audiences at the United Nations headquarters in New York, UN offices in Geneva and Vienna, and at special international conferences around the world," said FFL President Serrin Foster.
The UN Council recognized the woman- and child-centered issue advocacy of Feminists for Life as a special competence that will contribute to the work of the Council when it granted special consultative status to the organization.
"Many of the problems women in developing countries face today are the same problems faced by our feminist foremothers. And like them, our feminist foremothers championed the rights of women to vote, to be educated, to own property and to be protected from abortion. We proudly continue their legacy," said Foster. "Abortion is a reflection that we have not met the needs of women. We look forward to focusing attention on the unmet needs of women that often drive women to abortion worldwide-primarily lack of resources and support-through holistic, woman-centered solutions."
FFL's international director, Marie Smith is also excited about the new challenges and opportunities awaiting FFL as an NGO. "We are eager to work with other NGOs to question abortion as the answer to women's pressing health, economic and educational needs. Women in the developing world need governments to commit to prenatal care, safe deliveries and postnatal care to save women's lives. They need access to education and help through programs like micro-credit loans to feed their families. Destroying members of her family through abortion does not end a poor woman's poverty. She deserves lasting solutions. She deserves better than abortion."
Violence against women and children around the world is a great concern to Feminists for Life. According to Smith, "The early American feminists opposed slavery in their day. Trafficking of women and children for sex and forced labor are modern day slaveries. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of our feminist foremothers and join others at the United Nations to actively work to end these horrific practices. We hope to influence delegates to take action to protect women and children from all violence, including the violent act of abortion." Foster agreed, "Domestic violence-especially against pregnant women-must also be addressed."
Feminists for Life is guided by the basic tenets of feminism: nonviolence, nondiscrimination and justice for all. In the U.S. FFL has advocated for the Violence Against Women Act, Family and Medical Leave, and enhanced child support enforcement as well as policies and resources on campus for pregnant and parenting students.
"We look forward to sharing our message that Women Deserve Better® with international audiences at the United Nations headquarters in New York, UN offices in Geneva and Vienna, and at special international conferences around the world," said FFL President Serrin Foster.
The UN Council recognized the woman- and child-centered issue advocacy of Feminists for Life as a special competence that will contribute to the work of the Council when it granted special consultative status to the organization.
"Many of the problems women in developing countries face today are the same problems faced by our feminist foremothers. And like them, our feminist foremothers championed the rights of women to vote, to be educated, to own property and to be protected from abortion. We proudly continue their legacy," said Foster. "Abortion is a reflection that we have not met the needs of women. We look forward to focusing attention on the unmet needs of women that often drive women to abortion worldwide-primarily lack of resources and support-through holistic, woman-centered solutions."
FFL's international director, Marie Smith is also excited about the new challenges and opportunities awaiting FFL as an NGO. "We are eager to work with other NGOs to question abortion as the answer to women's pressing health, economic and educational needs. Women in the developing world need governments to commit to prenatal care, safe deliveries and postnatal care to save women's lives. They need access to education and help through programs like micro-credit loans to feed their families. Destroying members of her family through abortion does not end a poor woman's poverty. She deserves lasting solutions. She deserves better than abortion."
Violence against women and children around the world is a great concern to Feminists for Life. According to Smith, "The early American feminists opposed slavery in their day. Trafficking of women and children for sex and forced labor are modern day slaveries. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of our feminist foremothers and join others at the United Nations to actively work to end these horrific practices. We hope to influence delegates to take action to protect women and children from all violence, including the violent act of abortion." Foster agreed, "Domestic violence-especially against pregnant women-must also be addressed."
Feminists for Life is guided by the basic tenets of feminism: nonviolence, nondiscrimination and justice for all. In the U.S. FFL has advocated for the Violence Against Women Act, Family and Medical Leave, and enhanced child support enforcement as well as policies and resources on campus for pregnant and parenting students.
