The New Mexico Community Foundation has created a new organization, NewMexicoWomen.org, which is a resource for anyone interested in the status of women and girls in our state. Its mission is to "advance opportunities for women and girls statewide, so they can lead self-sufficient, healthy, and empowered lives." In New Mexico, women comprise a majority of the population, 51%, and girls comprise 49% of the state’s under-eighteen population…
Approximately twenty-four miles south of Albuquerque, Los Lunas, the Valencia County seat, has significantly fewer services and resources for children and caregivers then Albuquerque. Yet it has individuals, agencies and law enforcement doing what they can to help all children in the community. With one of the highest rates of substantiated child abuse and neglect in New Mexico, Valencia does not have the level of child specific services necessary to respond adequately. Relying on access to services and resources in Albuquerque is difficult, expensive, and can add to stress for law enforcement and others, as well as trauma for the children they are trying to serve.
The 2012 rate of substantiated child abuse for Valencia County was a distressing 28 children per 1,000 compared to the State's rate of 11.4, Bernalillo’s 8.8 and Sandoval’s 7.5…
The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), introduced by Congresswoman Jan Schokowsky (D-IL), would be a significant advancement for women and girls as participants in humanitarian crisis situations and the future development of their communities. Gender identities, violence, and gender inequality should be essential considerations for foreign aid and development. Gender Based Violence (GBV) is both highly personal and individually devastating, and is a community, public health, and global economic and humanitarian issue…