As part of our mission to eliminate racism and empower women, we support and advocate for local, state and federal policies/legislation that promote racial justice and equity for women and people of color, as well as policies/legislation that provide justice and relief to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. We also support enacting laws which allow for those in marginalized communities to live in peace with freedom and dignity.
Advocating for Systems Change
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence Advocacy Day
As a member of OAESV, YWCA staff members participate in the Annual Advocacy Day to End Sexual Violence. This event provides our advocates with an opportunity to express the importance of sexual violence advocacy and prevention to members of the Ohio Legislature. One-on-one meetings with lawmakers provide opportunities for rape crisis professionals to share insight on pending legislation and make informed requests for funding increases.
Ohio Human Trafficking Awareness Day
This year, more than 1,000 children are victims of sex trafficking and over 3,000 youth are at risk of becoming victims in the state of Ohio alone. In addition, there are also hundreds of people throughout the state who are victims of labor trafficking. The Ohio Human Trafficking Awareness Day invites advocates, social workers, law enforcement and survivors to meet and discuss human trafficking in Ohio and how to combat this issue. Advocacy Day video discussions featuring a variety of topics are posted online and are available here: Ohio Human Trafficking Advocacy Day
Impacting State of Ohio Legislation
When state legislation is introduced that will potentially impact survivors/victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking, YWCA staff contacts state legislators to encourage funding increases to shelters and programs which serve this population and to pass legislation to protect survivors and victims.
Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) Spring Advocacy Day
The YWCA participates in the ODVN Spring Advocacy Day to discuss with Ohio legislators the changing needs of domestic violence providers and survivors in Ohio.
Ohio Council
The Ohio Council consists of 14 YWCA associations across the state committed to the mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Members of the council work directly with a lobbyist to represent our interests as it pertains to public policy and we sit as members of the Ohio Council Advocacy Committee to stay abreast of issues and collectively participate with other Ohio YWCA leaders.
Policy Change
We support pieces of state legislation that directly affect our local services and programs and deliver in-person testimony to Ohio House and Senate Committees as needed.
We participate biannually in YWCA USA’s Capitol Hill Day where YWCA Advocates from local associations across the nation raise their collective voice to promote the importance of policies, programs and funding needed to ensure a safe and economically secure future for women and girls. We also participate biannually in the YWCA In-District Advocacy Day where YWCA associations across the state advocate for women and girls in the state of Ohio.
We meet in-person and/or virtually with Ohio Senators and Ohio House of Representatives as opportunities arise.