Safe Cities LA
Safe Cities LA was launched in an effort to create a space or access point, making women and girls' voices on urban wellbeing a transformative force in local policy and practices. Focus areas include diverse social and cultural realities, safe and healthy urban spaces, environmental factors, creative expression, and design.
SCLA is in alignment with the UN Women's Global Flagship Initiative, "Safe Cities Free of Violence against Women and Girls" Global Programme, which develops, implements, and evaluates tools, policies and comprehensive approaches on the prevention of and response to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls.
In September 2020, UN Women USA Los Angeles launched the "In the Field" initiative under Safe Cities LA to provide practical and tangible avenues for members to make a difference locally. We partnered with the Downtown Women's Center (DWC) to build Dignity Kits (toiletry kits with items such as travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and more) for women experiencing homelessness in LA. In just a couple of months, we received a total of 325 dignity kits from members across LA County, from Agoura Hills to Padadena, Hollywood to Santa Monica.
One of our members, Olivia DeJesse, also had a chance to speak with Fuschia Hayes, DWC Advocate and former resident of DWC, and Emily Van Cise, Director of Health & Wellness at DWC. Read about the interview here about their lived experience and how the dignity kits are making an impact: "Building Belonging in a Time of Uncertainty: Unhoused Women at Downtown Women's Center"
Say NO UNiTE
Say NO-UNiTE is a network for social mobilization that continues to showcase advocacy, news, and actions on ending violence against women and girls by people from all walks of life. On the 25th day of every month, Say NO mobilizes people around the world to support the UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign's #OrangeDay initiative. It calls on people everywhere to wear the color orange and take action to end violence against women and girls in every community, at home, in public spaces, in schools and workplaces, during conflicts and in times of peace.
HeForShe LA
HeForShe is a solidarity campaign for gender equality initiated by UN Women. Its goal is to engage men and boys as agents of change for the achievement of gender equality and women's rights, by encouraging them to take action against inequalities faced by women and girls.
Women's Cross Cultural Exchange (WCCE)
WCCE creates environments for exchanging multicultural perspectives, with a specific focus on how women impact or are affected by various global issues. We encourage a deeper contemplation of cultures and cultural beliefs, especially regarding women, in order to spread awareness and encourage new ways of thinking. We plan on introducing and emphasizing ideas by allowing our facilitators and speakers to speak through art, literature, culture, history, literature, or law, or include references to these topics. We will encourage impassioned social thought and activism through multi-disciplinary engagement. With these actions and exchanges, we hope to better the future of women everywhere.