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ACTION PLAN FOR WOMEN IN THE MILITARY: HEALTH ISSUES
WHEREAS, approximately 350,000 women currently serve in the United States (U.S.) military, making up almost 15 percent of all active-duty personnel; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. government should provide the highest standard of care to women who have volunteered to serve their country; and
WHEREAS, women in the military is currently one of NOW's important issues; and
WHEREAS, the federal government not only forbids the use of public funds for abortions for military personnel and their families but also bans abortions at military facilities even if the woman is willing to self-pay; and
WHEREAS, contraceptive devices and medications, including emergency contraception (Plan B), are not being stocked at military medical facilities; and
WHEREAS, Pap tests and mammograms are not made available to servicewomen on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, data is needed to identify health issues involving women in the military and women veterans to apprise them of services and benefits available to them; and
WHEREAS, educational efforts need to be directed to women in the military and women veterans; and
WHEREAS, it is important to verify that there are adequate numbers of obstetricians and gynecologists available for women in the military in the U.S. and wherever they are stationed throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, are prevalent in the military and within military families; and
WHEREAS, women in the military suffer from PTSD from combat and from rape, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment; and
WHEREAS, NOW is the premier women's rights organization in the U.S.;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NOW form an ad hoc committee on Health Issues of Women in the Military. The committee will work with other organizations working in these areas and appropriate military and veterans service organizations to address these problems so as to develop strategies and action plans and bring these plans to the National Board.
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
WHEREAS, there are an estimated 300 million women with disabilities worldwide, with 240 million of them living in developing countries, who are disabled as a result of mental, physical or sensory impairment. No matter which part of the world they are in, their lives are often limited by physical and/or social barriers; and
WHEREAS, the consequences of disablement are particularly serious for women, because disabled women are discriminated against on double grounds: gender and disability. Therefore, they have less access to essential services such as health care, education and vocational rehabilitation; and
WHEREAS, disabled persons often suffer from discrimination, because of prejudice or ignorance, and also may lack access to essential services; and
WHEREAS, while the United Nation's CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women) establishes a worldwide commitment to combat discrimination against women and girls, there are few references to women with disabilities. This leaves women with disabilities invisible to many countries who are signatories to CEDAW; and
WHEREAS, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is on record in support of the rights of women with disabilities globally and has an uncompromising investment in working to protect the rights of people with disabilities and to dismantle ableism; and
WHEREAS, NOW's long-standing opposition to all forms of discrimination and NOW's historic purpose include full participation, independence, and diversity for all, including people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, in December 2006, the United Nations adopted a Convention on the Protection and
Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities and this Convention has been signed by numerous countries and the Convention includes an article (Article 6) that provides that State Parties:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NOW will encourage the United States to sign and ratify this Convention and will support efforts of other organizations to encourage the ratification of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities without any reservations, declarations or understandings (RDUs) as a vehicle to improve the rights of women and girls with disabilities in the U.S. and globally; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Disability Rights Ad Hoc Committee of NOW will work together with the NOW National Action Center to advocate for this Convention's ratification by the United States.
CALL FOR MORATORIUM ON IMMIGRATION RAIDS
WHEREAS, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is a convener of the National Coalition for Immigrant Women's Rights, an important collective of grassroots and advocacy organizations that promotes equality for all immigrant women and families living and working in the United States by advocating for comprehensive immigration reform, reproductive freedom and economic justice; and
WHEREAS, in 2006 NOW passed a resolution calling for fair immigration reform that supports provisions to improve wages and working conditions of immigrant workers, to protect them from exploitation, to preserve the provisions addressing violence against immigrant women and families in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and for a more efficient system to process those eligible to work and seek permanent residency/citizenship, one that excludes the building of fences, walls and prisons at the border; and
WHEREAS, tens of thousands of undocumented workers, many women, have been unfairly detained, terrorized, and arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of a program dubbed "Operation Return to Sender," that has separated hundreds of children from their mothers, who often were their only caretakers; and
WHEREAS, there has been a failure in Congress after two attempts to agree on a positive immigration reform, which could have addressed harsh employment practices, unfair policies, and the unjust, terrorizing raids and arrests that are tearing families apart; and
WHEREAS, immigration raids are targeting workers, typically immigrant women, based on their racial and ethnic appearance, accent or limited English skills; and
WHEREAS, ICE uses military-style tactics to terrorize communities, families, and workers by barging into homes and arresting residents, apprehending parents picking up their children from school, confronting immigrants about their legal status, raiding factories where many undocumented women work, and sweeping up workers and separating families by sending workers to inhumane detention centers that are scattered across the country; and
WHEREAS, the recent raid in New Bedford, Massachusetts, detained and arrested 360 undocumented workers, the majority women. They were taken into custody on March 6, 2007, after a raid by federal agents on the Michael Bianco Inc. factory, a military contractor 60 miles south of Boston. They were sent to detention in Texas which separated them from their children at home, including breast-fed babies. Many other children were stranded at day-care centers, schools, or homes of friends or relatives. This is only one of the thousands of stories of devastation;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Organization for Women calls for a moratorium to immediately halt the immigration raids that have been devastating families and our communities across the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that in addition to this moratorium NOW calls for our government to: investigate allegations that detained individuals have been denied access to counsel, illegally interrogated, and subjected to abusive treatment; prohibit the separation of families with long, drawn out detentions; provide safe, appropriate and humane holding facilities; notify counsel and family members within 24 hours of transferring any detainee; halt transfers of those arrested by Department of Homeland Security; and afford detained workers who have been unfairly and illegally exploited at the raided places of employment a pathway to pursue labor claims against their employers; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NOW continues to recognize the contributions of immigrant women and a right to due process and fairness that will result in an equitable and fair immigration policy that provides legal and safe immigration options, a path to citizenship, reproductive freedom and economic justice.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S ISSUES INSTITUTE IN 2008
WHEREAS, the National Organization for Women (NOW) has as its major purpose the commitment to equality for women; and
WHEREAS, NOW has an increasing awareness of the globalization and interconnection of women worldwide and their struggles for equality and peace, and these issues involve women's movements around the world; and
WHEREAS, NOW established the Global Feminist Strategies Ad Hoc Committee (the Committee) at the 2006 National NOW Conference. Consistent with the Committee's mandate to report to the 2007 National NOW Conference, the Committee recommends the actions proposed in this resolution; and
WHEREAS, as feminists we seek to establish and foster ties with feminists abroad to further women's equality at home and internationally; and
WHEREAS, the 2008 U.S. presidential and congressional elections, throughout which global issues will be at the forefront of dialogue and discussion, create an unprecedented opportunity to advance global feminist issues to the forefront of our feminist movement; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NOW include a Global Feminist Strategies track at the 2008 National NOW Conference; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Global Feminist Strategies track consist of workshops, plenary speakers and other activities on global feminist strategies and issues; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Global Feminist Strategies Ad Hoc Committee explore strategic global, national and local partnerships, including extending invitations to the National Conference; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Global Feminist Strategies Ad Hoc Committee work in collaboration with the Action Center and state and chapter NOW leadership to implement this resolution.
THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
MUST WARN MOVIE-GOERS ABOUT RAPE
WHEREAS, the ratings board of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) is inconsistent in warning movie audiences about rape and other forms of sexual violence and aggression in their ratings descriptions;
WHEREAS, depictions of rape and sexual violence in movies can normalize and promote a rape culture which exacerbates the degradation of women; and
WHEREAS, the MPAA has publicly admitted to the fact that films can influence the behavior of minors;
WHEREAS, victims of rape and sexual violence often feel re-traumatized by seeing rape scenes in movies;
WHEREAS, the National Organization for Women (NOW) is still engaged in debate about how to secure non-sexist media without the risk of censorship and;
WHEREAS, immediate action is needed to obtain reliable information about movie content;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NOW demand that the MPAA ratings board adopt an unambiguous definition of rape and sexually aggressive behavior, informed by the work of organizations and scholars working against violence against women, and apply it to all films that are submitted to it; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW demand that the MPAA rate all films that have rape scenes with an R or NC-17 rating; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW demand that the MPAA use the terms "rape," "sexual assault" and/or "sexual violence" in all films submitted to the ratings board if they depict sexual violence;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NOW insist that the MPAA retroactively change the ratings and the accompanying ratings description of any films in the MPAA database that feature rape and sexual violence.
ENDING VIOLENCE, RACISM, SEXISM, HETEROSEXISM/HOMOPHOBIA, ABLEISM, AGEISM AND SIZEISM IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
WHEREAS, since the 1968 resolution, "Image of Women in Mass Media," the portrayal of women in the media has been a continual concern of the National Organization for Women (NOW). NOW challenges sexism, racism, heterosexism/homophobia, ableism, ageism, sizeism and violence against women in the media with the understanding that media democracy (in representation, employment, access, and production) is critical to fighting the culture of oppression in our society; and
Whereas, NOW resolved in 1977 to establish a National Media Reform Committee that identified music as one of the primary components of the mass media, which has powerful influence over society's attitudes and behaviors toward women and children; and
Whereas, racist, sexist, heterosexist/homophobic, ableist, ageist, sizeist and violent lyrical content in music and music video imagery has become of increasing concern, as technological advancements and the growing music industry ensure the prevalence and popularity of music and the content within it; and
Whereas, music video imagery often conveys the belief that women only live for male attention and depicts women as nothing but sexualized bodies through the use of filming techniques, such as camera shots that pan a camera over women's bodies; look down into a woman's cleavage from above; present women bending over in front of a camera; focus between the legs of a woman to frame the action on the other side; and present fragments of women's bodies where they are displayed as a number of simple and disconnected body parts; and
Whereas, the sexualization of women in the media categories of music videos, music lyrics, magazines, video games, the Internet and movies, according to the American Psychological Association's 2007 report, leads to consequences in adolescents girls such as: negative influence on their healthy development; undermined confidence; body dissatisfaction, negative self-image, shame and anxiety; mental health problems such as eating disorders; low self-esteem and depression; diminished ability to have a healthy sexual self-image; and negative affect on their cognitive functioning; and
Whereas, the America Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) found that in 1998 more than 50 percent of music videos included violent acts, which are a significant amount of the time committed against women. Additionally, the AAP noted that while African Americans represent 12 percent of the U.S. population, they were the aggressor in 25 percent and the victims in 41 percent of music video violence; and violence and racism still persist in music video; and
Whereas, racist, sexist, heterosexist/homophobic, ableist, ageist, sizeist and violent lyrical content in music and video imagery pervades all genres of music; generalizations made about particular musical genres, specifically in reference to rap and hip hop, have racist implications that alienate women of color and dishonor NOW's organizational commitment to racial justice; and
Whereas, with the continued domination of white male corporate ownership and control, the music industry is relentless in its misrepresentation of women and people of color; and
Whereas, NOW has a long history of taking on the media industry to dismantle the patriarchal systemic structure that creates permissiveness of inequality, and ensuring our voices are heard in our resistance;
Therefore be it resolved, that NOW build upon its commitment to media reform to include a focus on challenging racist, sexist, heterosexist/homophobic, ableist, ageist, sizeist and violent content in music lyrics and in video imagery by calling on corporate media owners to end offensive material in music and music video content; and
Be it further resolved, that NOW continue to raise awareness about the violence, sexism, racism, heterosexism/homophobia, ableism, ageism and sizeism in the music and music video industry by working with women of color, civil rights organizations and feminist activist groups that advocate for fair and positive representation of women and people of color in music and music video; and
Be it further resolved, that NOW urges activists to hold community forums to continue the dialogue on the portrayal of women and people of color in the music industry, and petition and protest radio stations and television networks that air racist, sexist, heterosexist/homophobic, ableist, ageist, sizeist and gratuitously violent content in music and music videos; and
Be it further resolved, that the NOW Action Center will provide chapters with resources and talking points on the connections between racism, sexism, heterosexism/homophobia, ableism, ageism, sizeism and violence in the music industry and in society, and tools for organizing effective and diverse community forums; and
Be it further resolved , that NOW will encourage academic and institutional research on the linkages between violent, racist, sexist, heterosexist/homophobic, ableist, ageist and sizeist music and music video and the economic oppression of women and people of color; and
Be it further resolved, that NOW encourages the support of alternative media outlets and mainstream media outlets that empower people of color and women; and
Be it finally resolved, NOW will inform members about the issues of racism, violence, sexism, heterosexism/homophobia, ableism, ageism and sizeism in the music industry on our web site, in NOW publications, and through presentations and workshops.
WHEREAS, educating girls has benefits at the personal, community and societal levels that make it one of the most important investments that any developing country can make; and
WHEREAS, factors that continually hamper school enrollment and subsequent educational attainment of girls in Kenya include:
WHEREAS, in 1990, the National Organization for Women (NOW) stated that Female Circumcision/Genital Mutilation is an attack on the bodily integrity of females, and that this practice is a grave and preventable major health risk for females; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, NOW declared that we must engage our organization on international feminist issues and called for the support of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and
WHEREAS, consulting with NOW will help women in Kenya who are working on this feminist agenda to create advocacy programs in the rural areas and in the semiarid areas of Kenya to educate and empower girls;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that NOW share ideas with the grassroots women's organizations in Kenya that advocate for women's and girls' rights in the rural areas and in the semiarid and arid areas of Kenya; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW share advocacy strategies with these grassroots women's organizations to help them campaign against FGM and other injustices against the girls in Kenya; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW work similarly with grassroots women's organizations in other countries as requested by women of those countries and as NOW's capacity allows; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NOW work with the United Nations and civil society groups such as the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) and the Inter-African Committee (IAC) to keep girls who are most severely affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in school.
RESTORE PEACE AND DIGNITY TO INDIGENOUS WOMEN
WHEREAS, the International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers have established the mission of world peace; the Grandmothers are promoting women's equality, sustainable community development and protection of Mother Earth, solidarity and cultural exchange with all peoples, education and community outreach to address those issues which are devastating to indigenous communities, and the empowerment of indigenous women as well as the sustenance of all the world's children; and
WHEREAS, three antiquated Papal Bulls (i.e. edicts by the Vatican) have remained the spiritual, legal, and moral foundation for jurisdiction over tribal nations by nation-states, and given the inherent unjust, moral and legal basis for their authority, the nation-states have justified and exercised their rule and domination over tribal nations through warfare and acts of violence. These three Papal Bulls have led to the ongoing destruction of the indigenous peoples and their ways of life for over 500 years; and
WHEREAS, the Precautionary Principle of the Rio Declaration adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on the Environment and Development (i.e., the Earth Summit), also adopted by the European Union, states the following: "When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken -- even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context, the proponent of an activity rather than the public should bear the burden of proof." The process of applying the Precautionary Principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Organization for Women demands that the governments of the World, including the Vatican, take the following actions to sustain the indigenous communities and indigenous women worldwide:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW supports rescinding the three Papal Bulls: Dum Diversas, June 18, 1452; Romanus Pontifex, January 8, 1455; Inter Caetera, May 4, 1493 to stop the further exploitation and destruction of the indigenous nations around the world;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NOW works with the Tribal Nations so that their lands will be under their sole jurisdiction. Further, that any actions not endorsed by the indigenous communities halt immediately, including the proposed uranium mining on Oglala Lakota Nation lands and the destruction of the Black Hills of South Dakota, a sacred ceremonial sanctuary for the Lakota Nation.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NOW endorse the work of International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers in using any national and international mechanisms (i.e., including the Rio Declaration, International Treaty Bodies and Indigenous Peoples' Forums) to achieve their goals which will serve to create a peaceful and environmentally sustainable world for women and their children.
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National Organization for Women
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